Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Leicester for April 12

After two league defeats on the bounce, Brighton hopes to get back on track in the Premier League this weekend as they host struggling Leicester City. The Seagulls will want to put behind them the disappointing 2-1 loss last week to bitter rivals Crystal Palace. They remain four points off a European place with seven games remaining. Here is Brighton’s predicted lineup as they face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team.

Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Leicester City for Premier League Clash

How Brighton Have Lined Up Recently

Bart Verbruggen kept his place in goal. Despite having committed the second most errors leading to goals in the league this season, the Dutch keeper has cemented his place in Fabian Hurzeler’s starting 11. Jack Hinshelwood carried on filling in at right back. Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke partnered each other at centre back, while Ecuador international Pervis Estupinan started right back.

Carlos Baleba returned to the starting 11 after being rested against Aston Villa. He played alongside 22-year-old Diego Gomez. With the injury blow to French star Georginio Rutter, Matt O’Riley filled in at the number 10 position. Hurzeler favoured him over German attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda.

Yankuba Minteh returned to the first team after sitting on the bench in the 3-0 defeat to Villa. He started on the right-hand side while Kaoru Mitoma slotted in on the left. Danny Welbeck started ahead of Brazilian Joao Pedro, who later in the game had come on in the attacking midfield position. Welbeck became Brighton’s all-time top goalscorer after he scored in the 2-1 defeat to Palace.

Brighton’s Recent Form and Tactics

Last week was very tough for Brighton fans, and it ended in the worst possible way: losing to their arch-rivals. Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Eagles ahead inside three minutes before Welbeck equalised in the 31st minute. 10 minutes into the second half, Colombian full-back Daniel Munoz fired the hosts in front.

There would be a flurry of red cards at the end of the game, with the main one from a Brighton perspective coming from van Hecke. He was dismissed in the 96th minute after he received a second yellow card for a foul. This capped off a miserable day for Brighton. Palace achieved the double over the Sussex side for the first time since the 1932-22 season.

Brighton Injuries and Absentees to Consider

The recent bad results can be contrasted with the growing injury list that Brighton has had. Hurzeler hinted at a change of formation for Saturday’s game in his press conference, with up to 10 players missing. The freshest concern for Hurzeler is Mitoma, who suffered an injury on his heel in the game against Palace. He is currently a doubt but will train the day before the match. Hurzeler has not ruled out the Japanese winger from featuring against the Foxes. Mitoma has featured in every Premier League game this season for the Seagulls.

Dutch defender van Hecke will also miss the match through suspension. This leaves Brighton with only three senior defenders, with one being Eiran Joe Cashin who has yet to start for the Seagulls. 

Jason Steele, Adam Webster, Igor Julio, James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Tariq Lamptey, Joel Veltman and Rutter all miss out. 

Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Leicester City

GK: Bart Verbruggen

RB: Jack Hinshelwood

CB: Eiran Joe Cashin

CB: Lewis Dunk

LB: Pervis Estupinan

CM: Carlos Baleba

CM: Diego Gomez

RW: Yankuba Minteh

AM: Matt O’Riley

LW: Joao Pedro

ST: Danny Welbeck