Brighton vs Southampton prediction 21/05/2023

• Date: 21/05/2023
• Competition: Premier League
• KO: 14:00 UK / 15:00 CEST
• Venue: The American Express Community Stadium (Falmer, East Sussex)

Still in pole position for a top-six finish, Brighton will be desperate for three Premier League points when they host Southampton at the AMEX Community Stadium. 

Despite suffering a 4:1 loss at Newcastle on Thursday, Brighton remains inside the top six with a one-point advantage ahead of both Spurs and Aston Villa, and with the benefit of a game in hand, albeit against Man City on Wednesday.

Brighton vs Southampton Betting Tips: BTTS / Over 2.5 goals

Brighton have enjoyed a superb campaign under Roberto de Zerbi, and a top-six finish would represent their highest top-flight placing in their over 100-year history. 

However, their recent performances have been somewhat up and down with a busy schedule and a painful FA Cup semi-final loss perhaps affecting the host´s somewhat over the past month. Losing four of their last eight, including a heavy 5:1 loss at home to Everton last time out at the AMEX, Brighton will be keen to right the wrongs of that loss against a Saints side already condemned to relegation.

The visitors make the short journey along the south coast with pride, the only factor at play in their season. Dead bottom of the division, some six points behind Leicester, the Saints have endured a miserable campaign, particularly in the final stages, with the visitors failing to win any of their last 11 PL games.

While you might expect Brighton to get back to winning ways, their recent home 5:1 loss against Everton and Thursday´s late capitulation at Newcastle are a worry, while their record in this fixture is not a strong one.

Instead, we´ll go with both teams to score, an outcome witnessed in each of these sides' last six meetings. Indeed, while you might assume Saints will already be planning for life in the Championship, this is a local derby contest that, even considering their relegation, is one their visiting fans will be desperate to win, and with that, we expect a closer contest than oddsmakers may have assumed. 

Ultimately, an entertaining contest seems likely, with the Saints perhaps punching above their weight with local bragging rights to play for. Indeed, as mentioned, Southampton have a great record in this fixture, having remained unbeaten in all six previous PL trips to Brighton. Still, we expect both to score and at least three match goals, an outcome witnessed in four of their five most recent meetings.