- Date: 28.02.2024
- Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
- Venue: Molineux Stadium
- Competition: FA Cup
Wolves vs Brighton Preview
Wolverhampton Wanderers, led by Gary O’Neil, enter the midweek face-off after a 1-0 success over Sheffield United, while the Seagulls grabbed a thrilling point against Everton in a 1-1 draw.
Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson’s quarrels made the headlines at the weekend. Despite this, O’Neil’s men carried out their usual business and fell apart in a two-game losing home sequence, adding another defeat for the basement club. Jose Sa and his team had enormous defending to do on Sunday afternoon, but the toothless Blades failed to take advantage. A Pablo Sarabia header from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s textbook assist lifted the Wolves’ spirits to a third win in the last four Premier League games.
Now, with European places in sight – occupying eighth position in the table with a single point separating them from Wednesday’s opponents – Wolves also have a shot at continental competition via the FA Cup, in which they have seen off Brentford and West Bromwich Albion in the previous rounds. The 2-0 win over their Black Country rivals was overshadowed by crowd disorder filled with disgraceful scenes, leading to quite a long play in stoppage time. Nevertheless, Wolves are just one step away from reaching the quarters for the first time since 2018-19.
That recent campaign brings to light just one of two occasions that Wolves made it past the fifth round of the FA Cup since the millennium. Another notable incident in 2002-03 occurred in the quarter-final against Southampton, where sadly they were on the losing side, and now another team from the South Coast plots to ruin the party for the hosts.
While Wolves could only manage a solitary goal in their victory over Sheffield United, Brighton went all out, scoring five goals past the Blades in the FA Cup fourth round, also starting their competition with a 4-0 win over Stoke City. At Bramall Lane, Brighton had a scoring spree with five goals, as they welcomed Everton to their base on Saturday, hoping to avoid a repeat of their 5-1 humiliation at the hands of the Toffees.
Lewis Dunk’s header was enough to steal a point for De Zerbi’s men right at the death, as they prepare for a fascinating Europa League last-16 tie versus Roma – while they cling onto the Europa Conference League spot in the Premier League a little longer. Three of the last six editions of the FA Cup saw the Seagulls go past round five, including their semi-finals in the 2022-23 campaign, and if all the dots connect again, we can expect another goal fest at Molineux. Moreover, the Seagulls’ sequence of scoring at least four times in every match since their 4-2 beating of Tottenham Hotspur in late December, and they went on to get a 4-1 victory at Molineux in August. However, O’Neil’s men had to do a lot of digging just for a goalless draw at the Amex a few weeks ago.
Wolves vs Brighton Team News
Wolves
It was a good time for Wolves on Sunday as O’Neil lost no more players to injury in the victory over Sheffield United, leaving victim Matheus Cunha (hamstring) by himself for treatment with no time frame. Having almost a full complement of players to choose from, O’Neil could try some alterations to his squad. However, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Boubacar Traore, Matt Doherty, and Santiago Bueno could be starting at Molineux, followed by Tommy Doyle, who has been part of Wolves’ three games in the tournament so far.
Last 5 games of all competitions: L W L W W
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Sa; Kilman, Toti, S. Bueno; Semedo, Lemina, Doyle, Ait-Nouri; Neto, Bellegarde; Hwang
Brighton
On the other side, Brighton has a reduced midfield option after Billy Gilmour’s sending-off in the draw with Everton, for which he will miss three games across all domestic tournaments due to suspension. Evan Ferguson required some treatment, but later the manager admitted that the striker’s confidence levels were greater than the injury, so offensive rotation should not be a problem. De Zerbi is without Kaoru Mitoma (back), Solly March (knee), or Joao Pedro (thigh) in the attacking front, with the midfield duo of Jack Hinshelwood (foot) and James Milner (thigh) still in the recovery phase.
The last 5 games all competitions: L W L W D
Possible starting lineup: Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Gross; Fati, Lallana, Adingra; Welbeck
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Wolves vs Brighton Head To Head
30 Apr 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton and Hove Albion 0-3 PL
05 Nov 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton and Hove Albion 2-3 PL
29 Apr 2023 Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-0 PL
19 Aug 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton and Hove Albion 1-4 PL
22 Jan 2024 Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 P L
Wolves vs Brighton Betting Tips and Odds
Ladbroke
- Wolves: 3/8 (2.63) – 38.1%
- DRAW: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.7%
- Brighton: 8/5 (2.60) – 38.5%
(subject to change)
Wolves vs Brighton Prediction
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (a.e.t. – Brighton to win on penalties)
A tough face-off suffocates like the Premier League standings, suggesting a rough game tight on all ends, unlike the previous ones.
Wolves vs Brighton Telecast and Timing
- India: Sony Sports Network
- United Kingdom: BBC and ITV
- US: ESPN
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