Brighton battle Wolves in New Year’s Day Championship clash

Lee Gormley | December 30, 2015

Brighton v Wolves

Brighton battle Wolves on New Year’s Day

Brighton will welcome Wolves to Falmer Stadium for a New Year’s Day Championship clash, as the hosts look to edge closer towards the table’s summit, while the visitors aim for a first fixture win since April 2006.

Chris Hughton’s men enter this 2016 encounter in fourth position, but Wolves are currently in a less encouraging 11th place, though are only nine points adrift of a play-off spot.

Brighton are 23/20 with Coral for another home ruling this time around, while Wolves are 9/4 for a first fixture triumph in almost a decade. The previous three meetings have ended all-square and a fourth successive stalemate can be taken up at 11/5.

Seagulls seek overturn in form

Despite a recent fixture dominance, Hughton’s Seagulls are struggling domestically and have now gone without a victory in five outings, following a narrow defeat to Ipswich Town in their most recent match-up.

The Brighton boss has admitted his side are going through a difficult rough patch, especially in attack, having not scored in three matches.

“There’s no doubt we’re finding it difficult to get the goals we need to win football matches,” stated Hughton.

“If you’re not getting them, you’ve got to make sure that you keep clean sheets. Certainly in the last two home games, we’ve found that difficult.

Hughton admits Seagulls struggles

“I probably don’t think we could have done any more in the second half to try to get back in the game. We got in as many crosses in a half than at any time I’ve been here but at the minute we’re just lacking that way of finding a way to score a goal.

“If you’re not getting them, you’ve got to make sure that you keep clean sheets. Certainly in the last two home games, we’ve found that difficult.

“I probably don’t think we could have done any more in the second half to try to get back in the game. We got in as many crosses in a half than at any time I’ve been here but at the minute we’re just lacking that way of finding a way to score a goal.”

Goal threats on both sides

Although, despite the Seagulls struggling for goals, they do possess the players that are capable of getting them, while Wolves hold enough talented forwards to cause problems.

Brighton’s on-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson started sublimely in his surroundings and is 5/1 to open proceedings on home soil, with towering targetman Bobby Zamora 19/10 to strike anytime.

Benik Afobe will be a threat for the visitors and is 23/10 to get his name on the scoresheet anytime, while Adam Le Fondre is 7/1 to bag the game’s last goal in what could be a close contest in this New Year’s Day Championship encounter.

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Coral’s top tip: Back James Wilson to return to fine form by opening the scoring for Brighton at 5/1.