Brighton & Hove Albion

With the Premier League top two fairly set in stone and the relegation places all but decided, we asked former England midfielder Fara Williams to pick her final table from third down to 10th.

Nottingham Forest will hang on to third based on what they have built this season in terms of being defensively hard to break down and playing in transitions very well. They are finding ways to win games by playing to their strengths.

I do not think Chelsea are good enough to secure fourth. I have put Manchester City there because they have enough firepower and always seem to finish Premier League seasons really well. They have not been in good form but they have that know-how and still a bit of a fear factor against some of the teams they play.

I have Chelsea in fifth because if Cole Palmer can refind his form they will have a good run of games. Newcastle in sixth - where they currently sit - as I think they will continue on the same trajectory with their run of fixtures.

The rest is really difficult. I have put Bournemouth seventh as their pressing and high-intensity play will see them pick up form again and rise a few places.

I have Aston Villa eighth as their focus will be on the Champions League, then Brighton ninth and Fulham 10th as I do not think their form will improve significantly. They are still impressive finishes.

Having said this, it has never been so close in this area of the table from what I can remember. These teams are likely to finish within one win of each other so much can change on one result.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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It was not so long ago that the only reason for a Brighton fan to look forward to an away game at Manchester City was because it was one of the only away ground concourses in English football that sold a well-known dark fruit cider.

This was both a blessing and a curse. Take the Albion's first visit to Etihad Stadium in May 2018.

Many pints of said drink were sunk, both before the match and during half-time. The pain of a 3-1 defeat was lessened.

On the flip side, it meant missing the booked public transport home and an unplanned night in Manchester until the first train back to London the following morning.

And that 3-1 defeat was one of Brighton's better efforts. Largely because it involved an actual Albion goal.

Before facing City on Saturday, Brighton's record at Etihad Stadium read: played seven, lost seven, scored three, conceded 18. Grim.

To therefore be disappointed that Brighton were leaving the Etihad with a mere point from visit eight was quite an extraordinary feeling.

Likewise, wondering just how costly Carlos Baleba blazing over the bar with 10 minutes remaining might be to the Albion's Champions League hopes.

The current campaign, in many ways, reminds me of the 2022-23 season. Talk of the Europa League seemed fanciful going into the March international break. Little ol' Brighton finishing in the top six? Surely not.

And yet, Roberto de Zerbi and his players went on to make history. Fast forward two years and Fabian Hurzeler and the current crop have every chance of doing the same.

No matter what happens from this point onwards, the final two months of the season are going to be an absolute roller coaster.

From losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest to being seven unbeaten - including six wins and a draw against the four-in-a-row champions - it is never dull being an Albion supporter.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Scott: A fabulous game of football from both sides. Brighton employed the high press with great success, shutting down City's attacks at source. City used the wings excellently, and should have reaped more rewards, but for wayward finishing. On the whole, a fair result.

Keith: City have arrived at a crossroads for Pep, and he hasn't got the team to play the same way we did. Things have to change, either by the style of play or with the players retained. Why does Pep retain Lewis, Gvardiol, Ederson, or Nunes?

John: Sadly, this was the day City's Champions League chances all but disappeared. Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest will take first, second and third, Chelsea will take fourth while Brighton are in brilliant form and will take fifth. City and Newcastle are fighting for sixth.

Brian: City struggle to kill off games and because of this struggle to hold on. They made progress today but defensive errors continue to halt the team success. We have high possession stats but poor shot stats - it is a boring watch. Brighton are excellent on the counter-attack and City struggle with the speed of such forward play. Qualification for Europe is going to be a challenge. We need to be more aggressive up front.

Brighton fans

Fran: A mixed performance but also a good point. To be disappointed having a draw at City shows how far we have come. Just more clinical finishing for those two clear chances and we would have taken all three points!

Steve: Oh dear, two golden chances to win it! I suppose before the game we would take a point, but how good is it to feel slightly disappointed to only draw away at City. This team is showing real class and potential. Let's hope we can keep these guys for a while before they are poached.

Jimmy: Minteh's one-footedness cost Brighton here. If he had a right foot, he'd have had a tap in, instead of lunging two footed and missing the ball completely.

Stan: Brilliant performance from the Seagulls today. I would prefer a win but happy with the draw. Seagulls soaring into Europe.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC MOTD: "We gave away goals in a very cheap way and we have to improve.

"The fact that we came back twice and we had big opportunities to go for the win is a very positive one. We showed our identity and that's how we want to play.

"Overall, I am happy with the performance, but not happy with the result.

"It is very obvious for me and clear that we should leave this pitch as a winner. Sometimes in football it's like this.

"We have to analyse this game and then we should be disappointed about the draw.

"We should stay grounded, humble and keep pushing each other.

"This club always works hard. We have a situation with the run after the Forest game. It is because we're doing the basics right. We have to keep doing it for the rest of the season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has just delivered some worrying news about full-back Tariq Lamptey.

The former Chelsea man was due to return from suspension today but was not in the visitors squad at the Etihad Stadium.

Hurzeler's comments were vague. But they were not positive as he was asked why Lamptey and Solly March were missing.

"Tariq has a bigger issue," he said. "He had a bad moment in training and I can't say exactly how long he will be out."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man City's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v West Ham

• Southampton v Wolves

• Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Brighton

• Bournemouth v Brentford (17:30) - full commentary starts on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This is not an easy one to call, because Brighton are on a great run - they have won four in a row and are right in the mix for the Champions League places.

The Seagulls will move above City in the table if they win, but everyone down to Bournemouth in ninth place could be in the top five by the end of the weekend, it is that tight.

I have been a bit gutless with City recently and have backed them to win games like this against the teams around them in the table - like last week against Forest, for example.

I don't really want to make that mistake again but, at the same time, I do think City look a lot more dangerous with Omar Marmoush in the team.

Also, I'm told that lot of FPL managers have piled in on Erling Haaland this week because they think he is going to score a hatful in City's next two league games, here and against Leicester at the start of April. I can see where they are coming from.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Manchester City have never lost a home league match against Brighton (W12 D2), winning the past 10 in a row. It is the most they have faced an opponent at home without defeat in their league history (14).

Brighton are enjoying the longest ongoing winning run in the Premier League (four games). It is the Seagulls' longest sequence of league victories since April 2017 in the Championship (five) and their joint-longest in the top flight (also five from April-May 1981).

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Manchester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler said Lewis Dunk is still not available due to injury but is "getting closer" to returning. There is hope Dunk can recover after the international break in time for the FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest.

• Matt O'Riley still "has a little bit of a problem with his knee" so will not feature but Hurzeler hopes he will be able to return after the international break.

• Meanwhile, Tariq Lamptey will be an "option" after serving his suspension.

• On thriving in the race for the Champions League places: "Honestly, I love pressure. So, I always find a way to deal with it. I never feel pressure from the owner or from outside [influences] because I put it on myself. In the end, but the biggest pressure I put on myself because I'm the most demanding person.

• On how his ambitions align with the club's: "I want the best for the club, which is success. We do this by our daily behaviour, pushing our limits every day and getting the best out of the group. And then we will see where we end in our season."

• As a result, he is confident his team can be successful: "I have the biggest belief inside of myself that this team can achieve something because we have a great togetherness in the group. We have players with individual potential, and that helps give belief to the whole club."

• On last year's champions City and their downturn in form this season: "They're still one of the best teams in the world and Pep [Guardiola] is still one of the best managers in the world. For me, it's very important to go there with a big portion of humbleness but also with a big belief in ourselves that we can beat every team in the league as we have proved this season. That's what we will try to prove tomorrow."

• On Brighton's chances of getting a first win at Etihad Stadium: "It's not about chasing any records. It's chasing our own behaviour, chasing our own limits. That's what we have to do tomorrow as well against City."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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We asked for you to tell us in one sentence why Brighton will qualify for the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Brighton have the momentum and there are no immovable objects in our way.

Brian: I think 20 points should be enough, which is six wins, two draws and two defeats.

Hugh: Owner, chief executive, managerial staff and squad well aligned = Champions League football is a high probability!

Peter: The team play as a cohesive unit, believing in their potential to win against any opposition and backed up by an exemplar management structure that other clubs would be proud of.

Max: They have belief in themselves and are not afraid of any club.

Trevor: Togetherness.

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Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo says the club should look to recruit a set-piece specialist in the summer transfer window.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "[Set-pieces] are a massive part of the game, and there was a periods when Lewis Dunk was getting a decent return of goals from set plays.

"It's all about that delivery, If you're not beating the near post, or you're over-hitting it, then you're not going to score as many goals. The one player who has always been there with a wand of a foot is Pascal Gross. That is now missing.

"I couldn't really tell you who our free-kick taker is. With all the stats that Brighton tend to work with, maybe they should go and find someone in that area that works for set plays. The height is there in Danny [Welbeck] and both centre-halves."

Listen to the full episode here

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Brighton owner Tony Bloom has bought a 19.1% stake in Australian A-League club Melbourne Victory.

The deal allows the Seagulls chairman to increase his ownership over time.

Bloom is already an investor in Belgian Pro League club Union Saint-Gilloise and has an involvement with Scottish Premiership club Hearts.

Image source, Getty Images

After Brighton lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hurzeler said he picked a formation that was too attacking. He created something which just did not work in the moment.

There are not seven goals between those teams and sometimes you get freak results. Hurzeler knew it was not a game to overreact to, but to learn lessons from. The lesson to learn was not in terms of mentality but in terms of setup.

Since then, he has set his team up in a way that compliments each individual player more and compliments the style he wants them to play, which is defensively solid with a significant threat in attack and to be truly balanced.

Some of the goals and individual moments they have had in their impressive run since have been great, but the key is square pegs in square holes and finding the right combinations.

The sign of a good football club is how they react when adverse things start to happen. The key was their reaction after the 7-0 loss and they showed great determination to get the first win and then the second and so on.

Then, before you know it, there is the belief they will win every single game. When they step out onto the field they know they are set up correctly, the manager knows and trusts his players to do the job required.

Now they fear nobody because they have the belief they can win against anyone, which is priceless in football. That means they can go toe-to-toe with any style and most players are playing really well.

Belief can get you going a yard quicker, jumping a few centimetres higher and get you striking that ball a little more often towards goal.

That belief exists now in the players, the fans, and the manager on the sideline.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

"Embarrassing performance", "the manager got it all wrong" and "is it time for a change?"

That was the reaction from some fans on this page after Brighton were demolished 7-0 by Nottingham Forest at the beginning of February.

But was that result just a bad day at the office for Fabian Hurzeler's team this season?

Since that heavy loss by another side chasing European football, the Seagulls have won six consecutive games across all competitions.

A bounce-back and then some.

With potentially season-defining games against Manchester City, Forest in the FA Cup quarter-final and Aston Villa to come in the next month, should fans be concerned about the impressive run coming to an end?

Perhaps not.

That is because a strength of Brighton's this season has been their ability to get results against the top teams.

According to Football365, the south coast side are second only to Premier League leaders Liverpool in gaining points against top-half teams this season, and that is not taking into account results against those sides in cup competitions.

From the 14 league matches they have played against those top 10 teams, Brighton have won six, drawn four and lost four.

In the past six games in all competitions since the 7-0 defeat by Forest alone, they have beaten Chelsea twice, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham.

Prior to that, they held second-placed Arsenal to a draw twice, beat Manchester City and pushed Liverpool close in both the Carabao Cup and the league.

Having struggled in the period before Christmas, getting another foray into Europe looked to be slipping out of reach, but their turnaround in form sees them now sit seventh in the league and just three points off the top four.

Bringing in a manager that was younger than a number of senior players looked from afar to be a risk, but Hurzeler appears to now be getting the results to match the play and performances.

If he can continue to mastermind results against the top sides, particularly in the run to the end of the season, it could be a gamble that pays off with another European adventure and cup glory.

Ten games to go and we need your positivity.

It is looking likely the Premier League will be awarded an extra Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season, so finishing fifth will mean a seat at Europe's top table.

We want you to tell us, in just one sentence, why Brighton will qualify for the Champions League.

Let us know here

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We asked you what nobody is talking about at Brighton but really should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Kyle: The entire club. People are still shocked when we cause problems for the bigger teams and show up competing for Europe. People have been living under a rock and haven't caught on to the fact that we've been one of the best-run clubs in world football for a good few years now.

Alistair: It's been talked about a bit, but Diego Gomez looks like another gem. If he can form a reliable partnership with Carlos Baleba, we might have the next Mac Allister-Caicedo pairing on our hands.

Anton: When will we stick with a long-term team ie a regular squad that we won't see dissolve every season through selling for profit? While I fully understand Tony Bloom's goal is to have a profit, making a robust Brighton that will never be in financial turmoil - and we are all enormously grateful for that - I wonder how long it will be until we see more players staying season after season?

Wells: I was driving a mate of mine to a match and asked him this question: "Do Brighton have the strongest second XI of any Premier League club?" He looked at me in disbelief, then after a period of reflection, he couldn't disagree!

O: Maybe not in terms of going under the fans' radar, but Simon Adingra is certainly going under Hurzeler's. A very capable Premier League player who was great last season, who even got two assists in the Africa Cup of Nations final, is barely getting used. If I were him, I would demand minutes!

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Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo has compared the Seagulls team under Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler.

Speaking to the Albion Unlimited podcast, Virgo said: "As a team, I think we saw more style of play under De Zerbi. I think we are still trying to see the identity under Hurzeler.

"As a squad, I think they couldn't cope with the FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League [under De Zerbi]. The dream is to get into Europe, but when you get there it might be too early.

"Squad-wise, I think we are now in a much better position, but starting 11 wise I would still pick De Zerbi's team.

"It's a matter of time [with Hurzeler], he has had more injuries to deal with. When this team clicks, you see really good football."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Brighton are through to the last eight of the FA Cup and still right in the mix to qualify for Europe, having put together an excellent run of results after that hammering at Nottingham Forest.

And there is no doubt plenty more going on that you know far more about than we do.

So tell us, what's one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about at Brighton but really should be?

Let us know here