Brighton hope to transfer their stellar domestic form onto the continental stage as they host a Kauno Žalgiris side making their European main draw debut on matchday one of the UEFA Conference League.
Match News and Current Form
In just their second-ever major European competition appearance, Brighton have been made the pre-tournament favourites and little wonder considering their stunning domestic form. The Seagulls have won four successive matches, with their 2-0 success over Sunderland on Saturday coming despite being reduced to ten men. Fabian Hürzeler’s men sit inside the Premier League top three and must fancy their chances here having breezed past Tromsø 4-0 on aggregate to qualify for the league phase. That’s one of four successive wins to nil in European home fixtures for Brighton, who have excelled at the Amex Stadium this season too, going unbeaten in four games (W3, D1) and conceding just once.
Winning their first Lithuanian title has afforded Kauno Žalgiris the chance to compete in a major European tournament for the very first time, becoming just the fourth side from their country to do so. They fell short of qualifying for both the Champions League and Europa League, eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb and Beşiktaş respectively, but still face an uphill task given that no Lithuanian side has ever won an away game in major European competition (D2, L8). They arrive in England buoyed by winning the Lithuanian Cup at the weekend, and will hope that inspires a turnaround in attack as they failed to score in each of their last three European away matches (D1, L2).
Head-to-Head History
English teams have won all eight prior meetings with Lithuanian opponents, though this will be the first to take place in the main draw of a European competition.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Brighton have scored 3+ goals in each of their last five competitive home wins.
None of Brighton’s last ten Thursday-held home games ended level (W7, L3).
Just one of Kauno Žalgiris’ last eight away fixtures saw both teams score.
All eight of Kauno Žalgiris’ European away defeats came by a 2+ goal margin.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
The evergreen Pascal Groß boasts eight goal involvements in his last six Brighton appearances (G4, A4), with six of his last seven goals for club or country arriving beyond the hour mark. Leon Kreković has scored five times in as many games for Kauno Žalgiris, and has netted the match opener in four of his six scoring appearances for the club.
Jack Hinshelwood is nearing a return for Brighton but several others remain sidelined. Fabien Ourega sat out Kauno Žalgiris’ weekend cup success.
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Betting Analysis
Given the hosts’ stellar form, it’s hard to envisage anything other than a Brighton win by 3+ goals here.
Author: Ryan Fisher