Goal-shy Albion
In contrast to Saturday’s hosts, Brighton are out of the FA Cup and horribly out of form. Their only win in 13 Premier League games since December came against Burnley, with no side managing fewer victories during that period.
Last weekend’s FA Cup exit against Liverpool was a third straight defeat without scoring. Brighton failed to take their chances during that tie, with Diego Gomez and Lewis Dunk both spurning good opportunities to equalise at Anfield.
Albion are too often struggling to mount an attacking threat. In Premier League games this season, they are averaging 13 shots, four shots on target and 27 touches in the opposition penalty area – all their lowest averages since 2021-22.
Milner time?
On a more welcome note, 40-year-old James Milner could make an outright record 654th Premier League appearance, surpassing Gareth Barry’s mark. Milner’s top-flight debut in November 2002 came a day after Brentford lost away to Crewe in the third tier.
If he plays, Milner might finally face the only person with at least 100 Premier League appearances during the past 24 seasons who he has never played with or against – Brentford defender Nathan Collins.