The Amex Stadium will host the third round of the Carabao Cup in which Brighton & Albion will face Swansea City. The local team are in a good form, winning four out of their five games in the Premier League and giving hope to all of their fans. They´ll be looking to reach the fourth round in consecutive seasons for the first time in 40 years.
On the other hand, Swansea have been a bit of a let down as their start to the season has been the best after reaching the play-off final last season. However, nothing is impossible and more so after yesterdays socking surprises as Everton got knocked out by QPR.
Brighton & Hove Albion
The game played this evening will be a challenge for the seagulls and a game to play their best players. Brighton´s performance lately have been outstanding and the results have reflected it.
Graham Potter has changed completely this team. Since the day his job started, his has constantly worked to improve this team. Attacking problems are now solved comparing statistics to last season, more goals per game, looking into breaking the 50-goal barrier.
Marc Cucurella rapid adaptation
The Spaniards adaptation has been incredibly quick taking the left wing as own property. Last Sunday in the game against Leicester, he was the player with most touches (65) and passes received (38) of any Brighton player which shows how influential the full back has been over the past games.
He has settled nicely in Brighton and feels comfortable with the role Potter has given him.
The Irishman has had a drastic change in his career as he has been in the starting XI since his return from loan. A spell which was a very complex year for the defender after his father passed away hence the difficulties on and off the pitch.
However, this season is a different story. He has led the defence being the player in the Premier League with most head clearances (27) and bringing toughness to the defence.
Swansea City
The Swans have had a very bad start to the season if compared to their objectives and how they ended up last season. They are now in relegation positions with only seven points in eight games and screaming for an urgent win.
Attacking issues
Swansea has problems upfront and struggle to convert shots into goals. In eight games, the have only scored seven goals being the second team with least goals scored in the Championship.
André Ayew and Jamal Lowe have left a big hole in the Jacks attacking line. The Ghanaian scored 16 goals and the Englishman scored 14 which combined make 30 goals. A huge number of goals (53% of the team goals) which are taken away as they both left the club this summer.
Previous clashes Brighton & Hove Albion vs Swansea City
Last and only time Brighton faced Swansea in the League Cup was in 2009, when they lost 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium. This will be a game to remember as they have rarely faced each other over the last decades.
The last time they played each other was three years ago in the Premier League 17/18 in which Brighton took three points in each game after beating them 0-1 and 4-1. Other than that, League One 07/08 and 06/07 is the other occasion where both teams have faced each other.
Michael Sailsbury, Brighton vs Swansea City referee
Sailsbury is designated to judge the game. The Englishman has never refereed a Premier League game, however, he is more known in the lower divisions like the Championship and League one. In this season up until now, he has been in charge of three games in the Championship.
Pre-match press conference
Graham Potter:
Russel Martin: