Brighton and Hove Albion will aim to break their eight-match winless run as they travel to Championship side Norwich City in the FA Cup Third Round.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side secured an encouraging 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the last round of Premier League fixtures but know pressure remains on them as attention turns to their final cup campaign of the season.
Following a Round of 16 Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool, the Seagulls’ final chance of silverware in 2024/25 rests in a competition where they have been Semi-Finalists twice in the previous six seasons.
Standing in their way as they enter the competition is an unpredictable Norwich side who are picking up form under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup – the fourth-youngest manager in the English professional ranks.
With both clubs investing in youth on and off the pitch, a fascinating cup tie is in store.
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Team News
The headline news for Norwich coming into this match is the suspension of star player Borja Sainz.
Prior to the Canaries’ 2-1 win over Coventry City last weekend, Sainz was the subject of an FA statement which indicated that a six-match ban would be in store unless the player appealed.
That ban has now been upheld after Sainz admitted the charge.
An FA statement read: “Norwich City’s Borja Sainz has been suspended for six matches and fined £12,000 following a breach of FA Rule E1.1 that took place during their EFL Championship match against Sunderland on Saturday 21 December 2024.
“It was alleged that the forward committed the sending off offence of spitting at an opponent, during the 74th minute of the fixture.
“Borja Sainz admitted the charge and his sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission. Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
With the Championship’s top goalscorer out of the match, Norwich will have attacking concerns but have had the positive news of Josh Sargent’s return from a muscle injury this week.
In his Friday press conference, Thorup revealed Sargent could play “the final 15 minutes” of the tie.
Four players are ruled out of the match due to injury, with Anis Ben Slimane out with an ankle issue and Jakub Sørensen (calf), Liam Gibbs (hamstring) and Gabe Forsyth (knee) set to return later in January.
Recently recalled goalkeeper Vicente Reyes is also cup-tied, having played in the competition for Cambridge United this season.
Thursday’s press conference brought disappointing news for Brighton, with João Pedro ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in training.
Hürzeler confirmed that captain Lewis Dunk and midfielder Mats Wieffer will also be absent with calf and thigh issues respectively.
Igor Julio is expected to be unavailable following a hamstring strain in the second half against Arsenal, leaving the Seagulls with two fit senior centre-backs in Jan Paul van Hecke and the recently returned Adam Webster.
That pair are expected to start this contest, but Under-21 player Ruairi McConville – who made his senior debut for Northern Ireland last autumn – could start if there are any late fitness concerns.
Elsewhere, Danny Welbeck could return in attack, with Hürzeler saying that the striker will be assessed on Friday after spending six of the last seven games on the sidelines.
Jack Hinshelwood is nearing a return in midfield but will be unavailable for the contest, while James Milner and Ferdi Kadıoğlu are longer-term absentees, with the latter recently revealing that toe surgery will rule him out for most of the season.
Hürzeler also confirmed that his captain for the contest will be Jason Steele.
Asked about the Englishman, Hürzeler said: “Jason will play in goal. Jason is one of my leaders, although he’s not playing. This guy is such a great character, he is always supportive.”
“I’m really happy that he has the opportunity to play against Norwich and that he’s the captain for this team.”
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Likely Lineups
Long; Fisher, Duffy, Doyle, Chrisene; McLean, Núñez, Marcondes; Forson, Crnac, Dobbin
Steele; Lamptey, van Hecke, Webster, Estupiñán; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Enciso, Adingra; Rutter
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Key Players
Norwich – Amankwah Forson
With Sainz absent, Norwich need another player to step up in the final third.
After his late double against Coventry, Amankwah is just the man.
The Ghanaian is yet to play a full 90 minutes for the Canaries since his summer transfer from Red Bull Salzburg, and prior to an outstanding 10-minute cameo last weekend was slipping down the list of Thorup’s attacking options.
Indeed, the 22-year-old had been left on the bench in each of the club’s seven fixtures before facing Coventry, and with the side trailing 1-0, his introduction was a final throw of the dice.
With Lewis Dobbin, Onel Hernandez and Kaide Gordon also on, Forson was not expected to be the hero but was perfectly placed on the right of the midfield three for a brace of fantastic injury-time finishes to win the game.
Boss Thorup admitted the performance “can be a new start” for Forson, and “a change from where he was completely out of the team.”
If he starts this tie, it will likely be at the expense of 18-year-old Oscar Schwartau, who started on the right of the attacking three against Coventry.
Either Forson or Emiliano Marcondes could adopt that position from the start before alternating with the right of midfield.
Whatever involvement Forson has, though, he is sure to get another fine reception from the Carrow Road crowd.
Brighton – Georginio Rutter
The Seagulls are missing a host of senior players, leaving a huge burden on a select group of experienced heads.
Steele is the side’s captain and Webster and van Hecke will be tasked with marshalling the defence, but an even bigger task falls to whoever leads the attack.
With the club exercising a patient approach to rehabilitation this season, it is unlikely that Welbeck starts the game, making Rutter the obvious choice as centre-forward.
The 22-year-old, who has made himself a fan favourite since joining in August, began his Albion career with a bang courtesy of memorable performances against Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Wolves.
Since then, however, his momentum has stalled with no goals or assists in his last 11 appearances, amounting to 636 minutes.
The Frenchman has been shifted around the side, playing as a centre-forward, support striker and on the right of the attack, but nothing has stuck in terms of output.
This has not been for the want of trying, with Rutter recording the most shots of any Albion player in the Premier League this season (36).
Rutter is by far the most direct attacking threat Brighton possess, and against Norwich’s centre-back pairing of former Seagull, Shane Duffy, and Callum Doyle, his physicality will be as important as ever.
He is also capable of making cute runs to drag a defence apart and will be instrumental in ensuring his attacking teammates find space to wreak havoc.
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Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The Third Round tie is being played at Carrow Road; a ground where Brighton have only won two of their eight matches since the year 2000.
Five of the 11 total FA Cup meetings between these sides have taken place at Carrow Road. Brighton won one of those ties – in January 1946 – while Norwich have won twice and there have been two draws.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off will be at 3pm on Saturday 11 January.
Of the 32 Third Round ties taking place over the weekend, only nine will take place in this Saturday 3pm slot.
How can I watch?
As a Saturday 3pm kick-off, live broadcasting of the game is prohibited in England.
However, match coverage will be available from BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Norfolk, and highlights will be broadcast on BBC One’s Match of the Day at 10:30pm on Saturday night.
