Brighton vs Sunderland Prediction: Black Cats wounded with AFCON absentees

Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Sunderland to the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15:00) in what is the first-ever Premier League meeting between the sides.

Brighton were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool last week, while Sunderland will be riding high after their derby-day win over Newcastle United. Read on for my Brighton vs Sunderland predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Stefanos Tzimas, Solly March and Adam Webster are all long-term absentees for the hosts, while Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez will both miss out here due to suspension.

Carlos Baleba is away on international duty with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning that James Milner could be drafted into the engine room.

As for Sunderland, they've been hit hard by Afcon duties as Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traore and Arthur Masuaku are all away with their respective countries at the tournament in Morocco.

Luke O'Nien is suspended for the Black Cats and Aji Alese is absent with a shoulder issue.

Brighton vs Sunderland Odds

The hosts are 4/6, giving them an implied win probability of 60%, with the draw 3/1 and Sunderland are 9/2.

Ex-Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck currently leads the anytime goalscorer market at 6/5, while both teams to score is available to back at 4/5.

Brighton to win and both teams to score @ 23/10

I'm leaning towards a home win here as Brighton's form at the Amex has generally been strong, and I also think the Black Cats will be significantly impacted by several players heading off to Afcon.

The Seagulls' only defeat at home this season has come against Aston Villa, who look to be putting together a title charge, and most of Sunderland's early-season joy has come in front of their own fans.

Backing both teams to score also appeals here, as there's been goals at both ends in all bar one of Brighton’s eight Premier League home games this term. In addition, both teams have hit the back of the net in Sunderland's recent away trips to Liverpool and Chelsea.

Georginio Rutter to score anytime @ 9/5

Georginio Rutter opened his account for the season in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United, however the 23-year-old has been heavily involved in Brighton's attacks, registering 11 shots in total across his last four home outings.

I'm backing him to build on his maiden strike of the season with another goal against the Black Cats here.

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