- Brighton have slipped into mid-table after making a great start under Fabian Hurzeler
- Brentford are looking to bounce back after their first home defeat of the season
- Recommended bet: Brentford or draw double chance

Talk of Brighton making a push towards European football is not quite as bullish as it was a few weeks ago now the Seagulls have fallen into mid-table following a run of five games without a win.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have not been convincing in the last few weeks and that should encourage Brentford to think they can get something from Friday's visit to the Amex Stadium.

Team news

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has recovered from a head injury suffered in the 1-1 against West Ham and hopes are also high that Mats Wieffer will be fit after picking up a knock at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Adam Webster could be involved, while Solly March may also make the squad but Danny Welbeck, Ferdi Kadioglu and Jack Hinshelwood are doubtful and James Milner is out.

Brentford full-back Kristoffer Ajer suffered an ankle injury in the 2-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday and joins Josh Dasilva, Ethan Pinnock, Sepp van den Berg, Mathias Jensen, Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Igor Thiago and Gustavo Nunes in the treatment room.

The stats

Eight of Brentford's 16 Premier League games this season have featured more than three goals, while both teams have scored in 13 of the Bees' last 15.  

Brighton are winless in their last five league games, most recently drawing 1-1 at West Ham.

Over 2.5 goals was a winning bet in 10 of the Seagulls' last 13 league games, while the Amex outfit have kept just four clean sheets in their last 30 home league outings.

Prediction

Both Brighton and Brentford look set to start the new year about where many predicted they would be at the beginning of the season, but things could have been so much better for each outfit.

The Seagulls have run out of steam a little after a great start under new boss Fabian Hurzeler, while the Bees would have been much higher than 12th had their road efforts matched their fine home form.

They suffered their first defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium to this season's surprise package Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but a quick recovery should not be ruled out despite the fact they have earned just one point on their travels.

Four of their seven defeats have been by a single goal and Brighton have much to prove after being outplayed in their last home game against Crystal Palace, which was their first Amex defeat of the campaign.

They were fortunate not to suffer that when bottom-of-the-table Southampton had a winner controversially ruled out for offside in November and also allowed late goals to cost them a win at Leicester.

Brentford have forwards in Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa who can threaten any Premier League defence and with Brighton among four teams with a division-high seven draws this season, the Bees could earn something.

Back Brentford or draw double chance at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet

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