Sutton's predictions: Southampton v Brightonpublished at 11:24 22 February
11:24 22 February
There does not seem much point talking about Southampton.
I must say it every week but I could not think of anything worse than being a Saints fan at the moment, and I really feel for them.
It is just sheer loyalty that is making them turn up for matches at the moment because they only get more misery when they do.
Brighton have been quite inconsistent this season - well, until their back-to-back wins over Chelsea last week anyway - and that has made them a tricky team to predict.
It is not hard to call this game, though - the Seagulls are going to win and all I have to decide is by how many.
The problem with playing a prediction game is that my guest and the BBC readers are clearly going to go with a Southampton defeat too. I don't think anyone out there will go with a Saints win, will they?
Brighton Q&A: Can Hurzeler and the squad grow together?published at 15:22 21 February
15:22 21 February
Johnny Cantor BBC Radio Sussex
Image source, Getty Images
We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor. In part three, he looks beyond the current campaign and to the future of the club.
Raff asked: Is this a squad that is very young (including manager) but is there the capability to grow and develop over the years?
Johnny answered: There is undoubtedly a huge amount of young talent on the pitch and in the dugout. Time is not always given to individuals or a group to develop, but Brighton have a track record of creating the space for that to happen.
Six players involved in the squad against Chelsea last week were 21 or under, 16 were 25 or under. The only danger is other clubs looking to snatch their talent. It has happened before and will happen again, but Brighton will only sell if it suits all parties and at the right price. The club also carefully uses experienced players such as Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman to complement the younger players, and that strategy is likely to continue.
Andy asked: What do you think is the best long-term squad strategy that will enable the club to go one step further and possibly put a trophy in the cabinet?
Johnny answered: They have got that potential in cup competitions already. They have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup twice in the past six years and were unlucky to lose on penalties to Manchester United. The strength of the squad has gradually improved and last summer a huge investment should give them the depth and quality needed to compete for a cup and in Europe.
James asked: As they have had stellar seasons so far, are Kaoru Mitoma, Carlos Baleba, Yankuba Minteh and Jan Paul van Hecke at risk of joining a big club next season?
Johnny answered: Albion's talent is always under the microscope thanks to the stars they have helped nurture in the past, such as Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister. Inevitably these players will be of interest but for different reasons to different clubs.
A new emerging force is of course the Saudi Pro League as illustrated with the bids for Mitoma. The Saudi Pro League may also see him as a perfect way to help grow exposure in another market. Brighton have never stood in the way of players but they will only go on the club's terms.
Up-and-coming talents know Brighton provides a pathway but with that process they will probably move on at some point. One thing speaking to players is that so many seem very happy and that can count for a lot. Mitoma and Baleba are two that will attract interest, Joao Pedro and Bart Verbruggen too (and there will be more!) - but that shows the club are doing things right.
Brighton Q&A: Plans to increase capacity at Amex Stadium?published at 12:31 21 February
12:31 21 February
Johnny Cantor BBC Radio Sussex
Image source, Getty Images
We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor. In part two, he focuses on the matchday experience at Amex Stadium.
Norman asked: Most games at Amex Stadium sell out, so are there any plans for a significant increase in stadium capacity in the near future?
Johnny answered: The club announced an expansion recently as part of the planned changes such as moving away supporters, fan zone, etc, but a significant increase is unlikely as it would be complicated as well as expensive.
There is a balance to be found between maximising the amount of supporters and the revenue they generate with creating a good atmosphere in a packed stadium and not one with empty seats. The current 30,000-plus capacity feels right to me, but one thing is for sure, the club will explore any opportunities that don't harm the atmosphere. Transport in and out of the stadium also has to be considered.
Sue asked: Does the club have any control over the timings of matches? We seem to have had our fair share of evening kick-offs and that can often mean some of the old season ticket-holders missing out on going.
Johnny answered: TV companies select the kick-off times for televised games and, of course, the Premier League will move games if teams are involved in Europe.
Inevitably, certain clubs tend to be preferred in certain time slots, but everyone must get a certain amount of home games on TV. I understand that clubs have the opportunity to request and suggest depending on other factors, such as policing or transport. I don't think Brighton have had a worse deal than others.
How key could Mitoma and Minteh be for Brighton?published at 11:11 21 February
11:11 21 February
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Consistency has been something Brighton have lacked at times this season but, in Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, they may have at least found consistency in their attack.
They have scored seven of the Seagulls' past 10 goals.
Mitoma has already become increasingly instrumental to the Brighton side during past campaigns and, having struggled with injury towards the end of last season, has featured in every league game so far in 2024-25.
Minteh, who joined in the summer from Newcastle for £30m, looks to be finding the form he showed glimpses of at the beginning of the season.
His seven goal contributions (five goals and two assists) in the Premier League see the 20-year-old rank fourth among his team-mates, despite having played fewer than 1,000 minutes so far.
Mitoma's six goals and three assists have him one off the pace of Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck, who currently lead the club's goal contributions table with 10.
Of the 38 goals Brighton have scored in the Premier League this season, Minteh and Mitoma have netted 11 of those, accounting for 28.9% of the total.
With pace to burn - the pair registered the two top speeds in the side against Chelsea on 14 February - they are utilising their abilities on the wings. Mitoma (57) and Minteh (55) rank second and third respectively for attempted crosses, while Japan international Mitoma leads the way among Brighton players in chances created at 32.
But how do Fabian Hurzeler's team fare with and without the duo?
According to Opta, of the nine league fixtures Brighton have played when both Mitoma and Minteh have started, they have won five of those, giving them a win percentage of 56% and an average of 1.9 points per game.
In those games, their 16 goals means they have also averaged 1.8 goals for.
However, of the three matches in which neither player started, they have won one, averaging 1.7 points per game. With four goals scored, they averaged 1.3 goals per game.
As Brighton look to move themselves up into contention for European qualification and push for silverware in the FA Cup, the growing influence of the Mitoma-Minteh attacking partnership could prove to be a key factor.
Hurzeler on Milner, Mitoma and 'demanding intensity' at Southamptonpublished at 10:14 21 February
10:14 21 February
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Southampton (15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler said Pervis Estupinan and Solly March are "an option" but Lewis Dunk is "doubtful".
On James Milner and if he can return this season: "If someone can do it, it is James. Special character, special mindset, special work-ethic. Hopefully we will see him back on the pitch. He's doing vey well in rehab. We are very happy he is around us, but the most important thing is he gets his health back."
Hurzeler is happy with how his team have responded following the 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in January: "After the loss to Forest, we tried to get back the intensity from the start of the season. We lost this intensity and energy through the season so we said we want to go back to our roots, back to the things that made us strong. We want to be a team that is very hard to beat."
He was not drawn into talking on hopes for European qualification: "Internally, we have clear goals and clear vision. But, it is game by game. The Premier League and our season has shown things go from here to here. We worked hard for this momentum and it's now about keeping that."
On the challenge posed by bottom side Saints: "Games against teams lower in the table are different games, different approaches. It's about proving to ourselves we can go with this intensity. We play against Southampton but we also play against ourselves and our limits. I demand from my team that we go with this intensity against Chelsea but also Southampton so we have no difference in our approach."
On Kaoru Mitoma after his brilliant goal against the Blues: "I am happy for Kaoru. He works so hard in training and he gets the things he deserves on the matchday. Defensively, he is working well and he's improved by having more actions in the opponents box. He's attacking the back post more and increasing his danger in front of goal, and hopefully that can continue."
Brighton Q&A: What would be deemed poor enough for Hurzeler to be sacked?published at 07:50 21 February
07:50 21 February
Johnny Cantor BBC Radio Sussex
Image source, Getty Images
We have been putting your questions to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor. In part one, he focuses on the remainder of the Seagulls' current season.
Ben asked: Can Brighton still get European football?
Johnny answered: Definitely. There is still a third of the season to go and Albion are just six points off fifth place. The European places could go all the way down to eighth, but the race for Europe is very competitive this season. Consistency is something everyone is striving for, but the results in the home games against rivals Aston Villa, Fulham, Newcastle and Bournemouth could prove crucial.
Dan asked: What would be a good result this season? Then, what would be a result deemed poor enough for Fabian Hurzeler to be sacked?
Johnny answered: That probably depends on who you ask, but I think a top-eight finish is a good result. Other teams continue to develop but, with the travails of Manchester United and Tottenham this season, there is certainly an opportunity to secure a second season of European football.
The club never panics and has invested in a young squad and a young manager so, as they have done with others, they will give the head coach time in a new environment. From what I have seen this season, it is not something under the spotlight - but, of course, results and underlying statistics will be monitored closely.
