The bloom is well and truly off Brighton’s rose as their strong start fades into the distance. Graham Potter’s side put in an uncharacteristically weak-willed display in defeat at Villa Park but Leeds present an opportunity to bounce back. Last season’s darlings are struggling, sitting two points above the relegation zone, and spirits may be knocked further as Marcelo Bielsa provided painful news that Patrick Bamford’s return from injury has been put back. There has been little cutting edge without him and if Brighton can work a little harder, while keeping tabs on Raphinha, they could sneak a much-needed win. Graham Searles
Saturday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue Amex Stadium
Last season Brighton 2 Leeds 0
Referee Craig Pawson
This season G8 Y28 R1 3.63 cards/game
Odds H 19-17 A 3-1 D 5-2
BRIGHTON
Subs from Steele, Scherpen, Connolly, Sarmiento, Mac Allister, Richards, Webster, Burn, Locadia, Mwepu,
Doubtful None
Injured Alzate (ankle, Jan), Welbeck (hamstring, 26 Dec)
Suspended None
Discipline Y32 R1
Form DDLDDL
Leading scorer Maupay 4
LEEDS
Subs from Klaesson, Ayling, Cresswell, Struijk, Gelhardt, Roberts, Klich, Shackleton, Drameh, McKinstry, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins
Doubtful Ayling (knee)
Injured Bamford (knee, unknown), Koch (pelvis, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y28 R1
Form WLDWDL
Leading scorer Raphinha 5
