Brighton and Hove Albion vs Huddersfield Town. Premier League.
Amex StadiumAttendance30,182.
Saturday 2 March 2019 07:41, UK
Chris Hughton admits he is concerned by Brighton's precarious Premier League position but has urged his players not to panic.
Out-of-form Brighton have been sucked into relegation danger having failed to win a top-flight game in 2019.
The 16th-placed Seagulls sit just two points above the drop zone ahead of Saturday's home game against bottom club Huddersfield.
"I have to be concerned because the league table speaks for itself and the form as regards points speaks for itself," said Hughton.
"It's a difficult period for us but it's a time where you need to hold your nerve.
"We have home games against the teams that are around us and there isn't anybody here that won't be positive about performances and getting results.
"What is vitally important is that we realise where we are and that nobody here is panicking because I think what will get us through this situation is to do what we do best.
"That's what's got us into this division, that's what's kept us in this division and it is only this group of lads that will do that."
Brighton's midweek loss at Leicester stretched their winless streak to seven league games, an alarming run which has yielded just two points.
While he has seen positive signs from his team, Hughton acknowledges that failing to win matches can become a unwanted habit.
"Of course it can. But our responsibility is to go from game to game and to assess and to try and make the changes that you need to change your fortunes," he said.
"I would be certainly more concerned if we weren't creating chances, weren't in the game, our level of performance was poor.
"It's a difficult period that we are going through and we accept that.
"We also know the only way to get out of that is by getting results."
Pascal Gross has been ruled out of the game after the attacking midfielder suffered a minor hamstring injury during the midweek defeat at Leicester.
Forward Florin Andone returns to contention following a three-match ban, but back-up defender Leon Balogun (shoulder) remains sidelined.
Huddersfield boss Jan Siewert will assess defender Demeaco Duhaney ahead of the match. The right back made his league debut in the midweek win against Wolves, but was withdrawn at half-time due to a thigh strain, so midfielder Juninho Bacuna, who filled the gap, could start in that role on Saturday.
Adama Diakhaby (hamstring) will be out for another three or four weeks, Tommy Smith is still suspended and Abdelhamid Sabiri (collarbone), Danny Williams (knee) and Isaac Mbenza (calf) remain unavailable.
This is a cup final for Brighton. Huddersfield had a great result in midweek, but you'd still say they're miles away from safety.
Brighton need to beat Huddersfield, because they're in trouble. I'm going with them because of the home advantage. It would be a massive, massive three points.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
