Brighton and Hove Albion vs Brentford
Saturday 10 September The AMEX Stadium Sky Bet Championship Kick-off: 3pm
The Opponents
Last season saw a magnificent resurgence on the South Coast as The Seagulls missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League on goal difference before suffering the heartbreak of Play-Off defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. Their start to this season has given fans hope that Chris Hughton's side can go one further this time round with The Seagulls among the early season pacesetters.
After an scoreless draw at Derby County on the opening day, Colchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Rotherham United were all dispatched in league and cup at The AMEX by an aggregate of 10-0. Next up came a 2-2 draw at Reading before further progress in the EFL Cup with victory at Oxford United. Last time out recently relegated Newcastle United proved too much for Hughton's men at St James' Park, inflicting a first defeat of the season which left The Seagulls eighth after five games.
It was a comparatively quiet summer on the South Coast player wise with Tyler Hornby-Forbes [Fleetwood Town], Oliver Norwood [Reading], and Shane Duffy [Blackburn Rovers] the only permanent arrivals. Sebastian Pocognoli [West Bromwich Albion], Sam Adekugbe [Vancouver Whitecaps], and Glenn Murray [Bournemouth] also came in on loan with Glen Rea [Charlton Athletic], Inigo Calderon [Anorthosis Famagusta], Andrew Crofts, Adam Chicksen [both Charlton Athletic], and Chris O'Grady [Burton Albion loan] the major departures.
The Manager
Chris Hughton took charge of The Seagulls in December 2014 and is the fourth longest serving manager in the Sky Bet Championship. His first game in charge saw a 2-0 FA Cup win over The Bees as he guided Brighton away from the Championship relegation zone in his first five months in charge. His managerial career so far has seen him get Newcastle United promoted back to the Premier League, reach the Championship Play-offs with Birmingham City and save Norwich City from Premier League relegation.
The former left-back spent over a decade playing for Tottenham Hotspur before moving to West Ham United and finally Brentford in 1992. He earned 53 caps with the Republic of Ireland, for whom he acted as assistant manager between 2003 and 2005. Hughton's performance with Brighton last season saw him pick up two Manager of the Month awards, in August and April, as well as the EFL Championship LMA Manager of the Year.
The Match Officials
Referee: Scott Duncan Assistant Referees: Akil Howson and Robert Hyde Fourth Official: David Rock
Ticket news
Advanced sales have now ended but tickets are on sale from Brighton and Hove Albion until kick-off.
Phone sales will be on 0844 327 1901 (option 1) until 8pm on Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday. In person sales will be from 9am to kick-off on Saturday from the main ticket office at the North Stand. Collections and duplicates will also be at the main ticket office. There is no price increase, but there is a £1.50 per ticket booking fee added in each booking (by phone or in person).
Travel News
There are matchday travel restrictions in place for tomorrow's match affecting local roads and parking. For help planning your journey click here
Pre-Match Views
Dean Smith: “We will give them a lot of respect but we don’t fear them”
Sullay Kaikai feels he is fitting in well at Griffin Park
The Last Meeting
5 February 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Brighton and Hove Albion 3 Brentford 0 Brentford: Button, Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell, McEachran, Woods, Swift, Judge, Saunders, Vibe A night to forget on the South Coast as Brighton ease to victory
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 36 Draws: 16 Brighton wins: 38
Match Betting
Principal partners 888sport offer the latest odds on tomorrow's trip to The AMEX Brighton 11/20 Bees 5/1 Draw 3/1 Join Club Sponsors 888sport today and get odds of 12/1 on Scott Hogan to score in a Brentford victory tomorrow afternoon!
Match Coverage
You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 2.30pm tomorrow, with Mark Burridge and Dave Morley.
There will be live match updates on Twitter from 2pm tomorrow.