Brian Owen, The Argus: Injury-plagued Brighton's area of struggle
Brighton are eighth in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s match. What have you made of what you’ve seen from them so far this season?
They got some points on the board early on, which was really handy, but it has just been a whole new experience with the European games and having to be at their absolute best twice a week or three times in nine days.
It has been really interesting and quite challenging; they are enjoying the season, but it has been difficult in some ways as well.
The maiden Europa League campaign is going well so far, with qualification for the knockout stages secured and clean sheets in the last three games. Are you in any way surprised they have managed to balance things as well as they have in both domestic and European competition?
A couple of times, they have actually done better on the Sundays after a Thursday night game than I thought they would. Even at the weekend, I thought they deserved to get something against Chelsea.
What has cost them is some points dropped in draws at home to Fulham and Sheffield United, so they should probably be a bit better off than they are, in terms of points.
But the European games have been the highlight of the season. They started off with a loss at home to AEK Athens, when they seemed to be really nervous and ill at ease, and then went 2-0 down at Marseille and were being swept away. Since then, they have played really well and have not conceded a goal in five-and-a-half hours in Europe.
They have had a bit of luck along the way and maybe the teams in Europe have not been quite as ruthless as some of the teams they have played in the Premier League, but that new experience has been something else.
The fans have loved it as well; they have travelled in their numbers and quite a few have stayed over for a few days.
It might have cost Brighton some points in the league, but it has been worthwhile.
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There were already a number of players injured before Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey were ruled out for what De Zerbi said was "a long time". How much have these injuries impacted them?
There have been a lot of injuries, starting with Julio Enciso in the second game of the season; I thought this was going to be a big season for him.
I do not think Lamptey is going to be out for that long and Fati, was brought in to replace Enciso, is out for up to three months.
Where Brighton have struggled is at full-back. That is probably the position they miss the most because they have not had the attacking flair they like to have from one of the full-backs, usually provided by either Lamptey or Pervis Estupiñán.
It has, however, led to some players progressing more than might have been the case, like Simon Adingra, Jack Hinshelwood and Igor Julio.
Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on?
João Pedro has been playing really well recently and scored again against Chelsea, so he has four goals in his last three games.
He has been Brighton’s main player in attack this season, either as a no.9 or dropping deeper.
How is De Zerbi likely to set up his side on Wednesday night?
He has not really changed and has instead been getting players to fit the style he likes.
It will be a 4-2-3-1, with two wingers, which, if fit, will be Kaoru Mitoma and Adingra.
Then, hopefully, Pedro, Evan Ferguson or Adam Lallana in attack, so a unit of four really attacking players.
The big thing for Brighton is that they have not got Lewis Dunk.
It will be a normal formation, with some improvisation in one of the full-back positions.
The last meeting was a gripping 3-3 draw at the Amex in April. What’s your score prediction for this one?
I am going to go for a 2-1 home win, but I turn up to Brighton games knowing that anything could happen!
