Brighton & Hove Albion

• Both times Manchester City have failed to beat Brighton in the Premier League have come in a midweek game at Amex Stadium – they lost 3-2 in May 2021 and drew 1-1 in May 2023, though had already been confirmed as champions both times.

• Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have scored just four goals in their past seven Premier League games. The Seagulls are also winless in their past four (D2 L2).

• City are unbeaten in their past 17 Premier League games (W13 D4), last having a longer run within the same season between November and March in 2020-21 (19).

• Brighton’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in their most recent Premier League home game ended a 12-match unbeaten run at the Amex in the competition. They last lost consecutive home league games in November/December 2022 (including defeat to Arsenal), while they last lost consecutive home league games in the same month in March 2022.

• City's Phil Foden has scored more Premier League goals against Albion than he has against any other side, netting six in his past seven. His next goal will be his 50th in the Premier League.

Brighton have stunned many with their rise in recent seasons but now that a taste for European adventure exists, what does the club do next?

Fan Dan Towse has been considering future plans on the latest episode of Albion Unlimited.

Watch a clip above and get the show in full here.

This week's Albion Unlimited discusses Vincent Kompany's links with the Seagulls, plus Gary Dicker explains how working at the club's academy is going.

There's loads of fan nostalgia and plenty of laughs.

Get the episode here

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

"Never forget where you've come here from," sang the great Take That.

And Brighton fans have not forgotten where they came from if the anger among Seagulls supporters over the scrapping of FA Cup replays is anything to go by.

In 1991, an FA Cup replay with the mighty Liverpool gave Brighton a financial lifeline when the club was struggling to stay alive.

A particularly volatile FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace in 1976 is considered by many to be the spark which ignited the Seagulls v Eagles rivalry.

And we have seen the good FA Cup replays can do for other clubs. Gate receipts and broadcast money from the Albion's second-round replay with FC United of Manchester in 2010 helped the non-league club build their new stadium.

Brighton fan opinion is pretty clear. What we do not know is what the club's position is. You would hope that those in power remembered its history and that it was not so long ago it needed FA Cup replays.

Somebody at the top table needs to speak and stick up for the rest, at least until the very welcome independent regulator comes in. Brighton know better than most there is much more to football in England than just the Premier League.

It is a sad day if the Albion are now a club where self-interest rules over what is good for the rest of the game.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this week's matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on actor Zack Morris, star of new thriller film Jericho Ridge.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

City are, apparently, extremely tired but I looked at their bench for their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and it wasn't too bad for a team that is so fatigued.

The Brighton of last season would have been very awkward opponents for Manchester City, but I am not so sure they offer the same test this year.

Still, there is no margin of error for Pep Guardiola's side. They have the advantage in the title race at the moment but even a draw changes things completely at the top of the table, so the pressure is on.

Zack's prediction: 1-3

City are going to be fine, aren't they? They are not going to walk away with this one, but they will still get the job done.

You can read the rest of the predictions here

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, getty images

Burnley have not begun the search for a successor to manager Vincent Kompany, BBC Sport understands.

A report, external from a Belgium journalist today suggested Brighton have identified Kompany as a replacement for Roberto de Zerbi, should the Italian leave the Seagulls this summer.

But there is no truth in the rumours that "informal talks" have already taken place between Brighton and Kompany's entourage.

Statements on X have been plentiful in recent days and now Clarets chairman Alan Pace has waded in, seemingly dismissing such chat.

"This is what happens when you let children play on X," wrote, external Pace.

Relegation-threatened Burnley beat bottom side Sheffield United 4-1 on Saturday and are now just three points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest in the chase for Premier League safety.

They travel to face FA Cup finalists Manchester United on Saturday.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Monday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect, make change and understand more about sustainability and the impacts of climate change.

Sport and football are not immune to these issues and there has been increasing awareness of their relationship to the environment over the past few years.

Football has a global footprint and, as it continues to grow, it has been subject to questions and criticism over some of the decisions that could hinder efforts in reducing its impact, including expanding Uefa cup competitions and the men's Fifa World Cup.

The effects of adverse weather related to climate change has been increasingly felt, with a study last year showing extreme weather has affected 40% of football players and spectators.

But, football and its fanbase also have an opportunity to be part of the solution, with clubs like Forest Green Rovers showing how the sport's environmental footprint can be reduced.

We have taken a look into some of the key things Brighton are doing to become more sustainable:

• Over 400 solar PV panels have been installed at the training ground and all purchased electricity across sites is 100% renewable.

• 1,000 trees and bushes have been planted at the training ground and bird nesting boxes have been installed on the stadium's roof.

• They have implemented 100% digital ticketing for home games and are the first club to launch away tickets on mobiles.

• Home and away fans are offered free bus and train travel to the stadium on matchdays within a free travel zone.

• Groundwater and rain water is collected at the training ground to be reused for pitch irrigation.

One important area all Premier League clubs can address to reduce their carbon footprint is their travel, as shown in BBC Sport research.

Why is this important?

Football For Future is a non-profit organisation working with stakeholders across football to create a more environmentally sustainable culture and founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop told BBC Sport: "Climate change will be the defining challenge of our generation, and the future of football will be affected too.

"We're already seeing the impacts, with more than 120,000 English grassroots games being called off annually, and major tournaments such as the World Cup and Afcon being moved because of extreme weather.

"Beyond the pitch, the climate crisis threatens livelihoods and global food and water security.

"With its unparalleled social influence, football has an opportunity to inspire global climate action, from micro-behaviours to essential policy change."

What would you like to see your club do more (or less) of to be greener?

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

It feels weird to be shrugging shoulders at an underwhelming Brighton season that could yet deliver the second best finish in the club’s entire history.

Yet it is a measure of the progress made, first under Graham Potter, then Roberto de Zerbi, that you could get that impression about a campaign where a top-eight spot is not out of reach.

Brighton believe they have got most things right this season and without an unfortunate run of injuries, would have had even better results.

But does De Zerbi agree?

Does the Italian believe he was given the best possible chance of maximising a campaign which held unprecedented possibilities. After all, no-one can be certain when Brighton will have another European campaign or when they will be as strong again to combine the challenge of top flight combat with a forceful attack on the domestic cups.

A blank weekend offers time for reflection – on the defeats in Rome and Wolverhampton that punctured the season.

Brighton have always said there are no limits to what they can achieve. If that is true, but their model of selling stars for huge profit continues, it will be fascinating to see how they go about it.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Everton winger

Image source, Getty Images

Oddly, I used to like to play in goals during training when I was a player. I was OK, but at 5ft 6in (1.67m) tall it was never going to be my alternative position in the professional game. I knew I was not big enough or good enough for that specialist position.

I say this so that keepers do not get riled with me when I say that, 99.9% of them, are not good enough to be top-level outfield professionals. The problem is that they are continually asked to be just that now.

Burnley v Brighton underlined this perfectly. It is a fast growing list of keepers who are being closed down and then losing goals, simply because they are not good enough footballers. Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen joined Burnley's Arijanet Muric against Everton and Sheffield United’s Ivo Grbic against Liverpool, an error I mentioned just last week.

The reason why Verbruggen did not just come out and pick up the ball up in his box, is because he is being asked to think like an outfield player, but the gap between being not bad and being a top pro is an almighty chasm.

Muric then had a howler that an 11-year-old outfield player would be embarrassed by. With this second aberration in two weeks, Burnley’s chances of staying in the Premier League all but crashed and burned.

This is not a stinging rebuke to him or any goalkeeper. They are being asked to do a job most are not equipped for, and so goals will continue to be pointlessly lost and will probably get even more frequent.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

Editor of Brighton fanzine Dogma James Williams believes the Seagulls are suffering a "hangover" after such a successful 18 months but have "the plan and infrastructure" and to consistently compete for European football.

"We're feeling the pinch of a few different elements," he explained to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

"Firstly, we've had the ride of our lives for 18 months which came to a crashing end a month or so ago with the game in Rome. It's inevitable there will be a bit of a comedown after that incredible high. This feels like that moment.

"We're also feeling the pinch in terms of injuries of course but also the fact we haven't recruited and replaced, at least like for like in the squad.

"The squad looks tired and we have a lack of options. I think all of those elements have combined to make this kind of feel of after the Lord Mayor's show. I don't think that's necessarily a problem but it is a crashing realisation. It's like waking up with the mother of all hangovers after the incredible 18 months that we've had."

Sides such as Fulham and Swansea City have both enjoyed solitary Europa League campaigns in the past 15 years but Williams believes Brighton are better placed to consistently compete at the top end of the Premier League because of the structure at the club.

"There's lots of teams who have done it once [achieved European football] and never again," he added. "If that's the case with us - to be totally realistic it could be -then so be it and what a ride we had.

"I also thing that unlike those teams, our progression and our development is based on a lot more substantial footing. It's based on a clear plan, massive investment and strategy all geared around this.

"We're going to be in and around those European spots much more consistently than those clubs because we have the plan and infrastructure to support it."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Mark O'Mahony discusses his Premier League debut and new long-term contract, Jakub Moder chats about playing again after 19 months out and the editor of Dogma James William talks about Roberto de Zerbi, European adventures and murals.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Brighton have an army of players spread out on loan across the English Football League and Europe – and one of them might be going to Euro 2024 with England if the rumour mill is to be believed.

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is apparently being considered for a shock call-up by Gareth Southgate because of other back-up options for Jordan Pickford being injured, dropped by their clubs or out of form.

Rushworth is shining at Swansea City this season is no surprise to those who have followed his career through spells at Worthing, Walsall and Lincoln.

He has been hailed a potential star everywhere he has been, even attracting scouts from Barcelona to watch him at seventh-tier Worthing. The mind boggles at what those from the Nou Camp made of Woodside Road.

Poor results and disappointing performances over the past month have left a cloud hanging over the Albion.

But the success of Rushworth – and all those other young players impressing out on loan - serves as a reminder that the future remains bright at the Amex, even if 2023-24 is petering out into nothingness with six games still to play.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Burnley's 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

Here are some of your answers:

Burnley fans

Owen: Thought we played really well up until Muric’s mistake. People are quick to slander him after today but he is a class keeper and has saved us the past few games. To win games we need to score more, which we are incapable of. Our attack is a mess. We got really lucky with the goal today. But I will take a point and on to the next.

Lisa: We played good football but - yet again - one mistake cost us. It’s the headline of our whole season. Muric has cost us the last two games. Trafford needs to be in the starting line-up next match, along with senior players from last season who have earned their stripes and know how to deal with the pressure at this level. Let’s finish with some pride.

Barry: Everything considered, another one that was close but no cigar. I think Muric did more things right than the one error so no blame on him from me. Unfortunately it was just another glaring example of what we have lacked all season which predominantly is a true goalscorer. We still have 15 points to play for so keep the faith and UTC.

Brighton fans

Hugh: Poor performance. Too many players missing through injury but Roberto de Zerbi seems no longer interested in the job, which has affected morale across the squad.

Bob: Another poor result and we are turning into a very mediocre season. It's clear all our players are already on the beach. The policy of trying to walk the ball into the net is just boring now.

David: The same problem we have had for some time now, 20 shots and not one goal scored by a Brighton player. We do not have the players who are capable of walking the ball into the net and the management do not seem to be able to adapt. Will buying new forwards for next year solve the problem? I think not unless they come up with a new team strategy.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Manchester City v Luton Town

Bournemouth v Manchester United

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA

Brighton were not at their best at Turf Moor and recent results suggest the Seagulls' season is at risk of petering out.

Burnley saw the better of the chances in the first half while Brighton improved in the second but it ultimately came down to a goal they were unfortunate to concede then a goal they were fortunate to score.

Carlos Baleba's short backpass allowed Josh Brownhill to nip in and the ball cannoned off Bart Verbruggen's side before Arijanet Muric gifted the visitors a goal at the other end.

On balance it was probably a fair result but there is no doubt Brighton are in a difficult period.

There was also more injury worry piled on Roberto de Zerbi, already without nine first-team players, as Pervis Estupinan was replaced early on having sustained an apparent ankle injury.

While securing European football for the first time in the club's history last season was a triumph, the additional fixtures seem to have proved to be a step too far this campaign.

Roberto de Zerbi speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's draw with Burnley: "Fair result. We didn't deserve to win and we didn't deserve to lose. I think in this moment Brighton are like this. We are trying to play better, we are trying to win but it's clear we are spending a tough moment.

"We have a lot of injuries, we have many points to the European position. It has been a tough season for the players who played a lot of games - [Pascal] Gross, [Jan Paul] Van Hecke, [Lewis] Dunk, [Danny] Welbeck and we are trying to give our best but at the moment it's tough."

On Pervis Estupinan injury: "It's an ankle problem we will see in the next days [how serious]."

On the fortunate goal: "I can speak about our goal it was a short pass, too short pass from Carlos Baleba to the keeper. The keeper was maybe too deep and Baleba is playing very well but he's very young. We have to give him time to be better and play better. He is a good potential player, important for the future of the club and next season I think he can become better."

On 12-day break until next match: "I hope we can recover as many players as we can but I'm not a doctor, it's tough for me to be a coach. We have to play with pride, we fought for the ball. We started the first 20 minutes not so good but the last 70 we played a good game."

• Burnley are now unbeaten in three consecutive home Premier League games (W1 D2), after losing 11, drawing two and winning one of the previous 14 this season.

• Since their debut season in 2017-18, Brighton have benefited from 17 own-goals in the Premier League, a figure bettered only by Tottenham (25) and Liverpool (18) in that time.

• Burnley have dropped 24 points from leading positions in the Premier League this season, with only Brentford (30) dropping more.

• All 236 of Brighton captain Lewis Dunk’s Premier League appearances have come as starts, with only four outfield players posting a better 100% starting record (Gareth Southgate 426, Paul Ince 306, Des Walker 264, Gary Pallister 261).

• Burnley’s Josh Brownhill has been directly involved in two goals in his past three Premier League appearances (1 goal, 1 assist), as many as he managed in his 16 before that.

A calamitous mistake by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric prevented Burnley from securing a vital Premier League win over Brighton at Turf Moor.

One week after the Kosovan's mistake handed Everton a 1-0 victory over Vincent Kompany's side, Muric allowed a simple backpass from his team-mate Sander Berge to roll under his heel and into the net.

Josh Brownhill had given Burnley's chances of Premier League survival a glimmer of hope on 74 minutes when he nipped in to take advantage of a short backpass from Carlos Baleba and the ball cannoned in off the side of keeper Bart Verbruggen to give the home side the lead.

But just five minutes later Muric's error levelled proceedings and Burnley could not restore their advantage to take all three points.

The result leaves Brighton 10th in the Premier League while Burnley are still firmly rooted in the relegation zone, six points from safety.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Burnley fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brighton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Man City v Luton

• Bournemouth v Man Utd

All times BST

Follow BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries and live text updates here