Brighton and Hove Albion vs Southampton. Carabao Cup Second Round.
Amex StadiumAttendance13,651.
Tuesday 28 August 2018 11:40, UK
Brighton boss Chris Hughton is set to hand record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh his full debut at home to Southampton in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday evening.
The Iranian, who moved to the south coast from AZ Alkmaar in July for a fee in the region of £17m, has been restricted to appearances from the bench thus far, but according to the club's official website, Jahanbakhsh is set to make his full debut at the Amex.
As is commonplace in the competition, the club are set to make wholesale changes and Swedish U19 international Viktor Gyokeres - who can play up front or out wide - has impressed in the under-23s' unbeaten start to the season and is tipped to at least make the matchday squad.
Lewis Dunk missed the narrow defeat to Liverpool, while Bruno, Jose Izquierdo and Florin Andone also remain sidelined for the Seagulls.
Southampton will be without suspended midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the Carabao Cup second-round tie at Brighton. The Denmark international serves a one-match ban after being sent off for two yellow cards against Leicester on Saturday.
Saints boss Mark Hughes intends to make changes at the Amex Stadium which may mean a debut for goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Defenders Matt Targett and Jan Bednarek, captain Steven Davis and striker Manolo Gabiaddini could make their first starts of the season.
Brighton and Southampton have only met in the League Cup once before - the Saints won 3-0 at the Withdean Stadium in September 2001.
Brighton have won just two of their last 15 matches against Southampton in all competitions (D6 L7).
This is Brighton's fifth League Cup tie as a top-flight team against fellow top-flight opposition - they lost the previous four, including last season against Bournemouth in the third round.
Southampton manager Mark Hughes has progressed from his last eight League Cup second round ties - his last elimination at this stage was against Brighton in 2008-09 as Man City manager, going out 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Southampton striker Charlie Austin has scored six goals in nine appearances against Brighton, with all matches coming in league competition.
It's hard to gauge how seriously either side is going to take this competition, really. I've seen both of them already this season; Brighton were awful against Watford on the opening day but they've obviously dramatically to beat Man United and to give Liverpool a tough test.
Southampton probably didn't deserve to lose to Leicester on Saturday but that loss means they are still without a win and I think, given the stresses of last season, that Southampton probably need to progress in this one, more so than Brighton. I think Mark Hughes might just go a little stronger than Chris Hughton and for that reason, I'll back the Saints.
Don predicts: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
