Brighton’s danger men: Leicester City’s opposition assessed

This article aims to divulge information on the three most deadly Brighton & Hove Albion players, who threaten to upset Leicester City’s quest for three points on Saturday:

Following another international interval, the Premier League is welcomed back with loving, open arms – oh how we’ve missed it for nearly two weeks. Leicester City journey to Brighton & Hove Albion for a real ‘six pointer’. There has only been two previous top-flight meetings between the two: the Foxes won both clashes, home and away. Certainly a good omen in this writer’s predicted 2-0 travelling victory for the East Midlands side.

However, this article focuses on the potential danger for Leicester City from the Seagulls. Which players have the most attacking prowess at the Amex Stadium?

Three Brighton ‘danger men’

Pascal gross

This campaign, Pascal Gross has been regularly missing through injury. Only managing four appearances, along with netting a mere one time in 2018/19. That quality deficiency would affect any team, Brighton shall be boosted no end from his return to availability. Manager Chris Hughton explained it is ultimately his choice whether or not Gross will be reinstated. In effect, that makes his inclusion very likely indeed.

It is easy to argue, quite convincingly, that the German footballing facilitator is Brighton’s best player. To analyse this adequately, let’s check the statistics: in his first season in the world’s foremost league – the English Premier League – Gross bagged seven goals and eight assists; whilst playing every match, remarkable. Especially in a team with limited means, who finished three positions away from relegation, in 15th place.

In addition, the playmaker was involved in 14 finishes in 65 Bundesliga games. Leicester City beware! Foxes boss Claude Puel will likely field two defensive-central-midfielders in an attempt to suppress the once under-19 international.

Anthony Knockaert

The Blue Army faithful know all about Anthony Knockaert. He had a very successful impact at Leicester City for two seasons, filled with plenty of drama and skilful flybys. Featuring 39 times for the Easy Midlands club. Involving himself in four goals so far for the Seagulls this campaign is not illustrious but inevitably dangerous. Coincidentally, that is the same amount he managed for all of 2017/18.

While at the King Power Stadium, however, Knockaert did not get on the score-sheet or assist at all during his nine elite English league outings. Known as a masterful dribbler, the Belgian can also hold the ball confidently under pressure and play an array of passes, according to WhoScored. At age-27, he is an accomplished Premier League player; Leicester City actually seem devoid of his brand of directness presently. If the former Fox is on the right, hopefully Ben Chilwell is on good form.

Glenn Murray

Of the prolific veteran striker, premierleague.com states:

"“Glenn Murray will be hoping his good home form will end the striker’s disappointing record against Leicester City when the Foxes visit his Brighton & Hove Albion team on Saturday.The 35-year-old forward has faced Leicester seven times and has yet to get on the scoresheet.But Murray has scored five of six Premier League goals at the Amex Stadium this season, including successive 1-0 wins.These goals have won Brighton half of their 14 points this season.”"

This is a complete target man, able to score in anyway possible: head, one-on-one, long range, acrobatic. If Murray was not such a late bloomer, he could have had 50 caps for England. In fact, he was so good in his mid-30s that Gareth Southgate reportedly considered Murray for a peripheral place in the Three Lions World Cup 2018 squad.

With Harry Maguire missing, Foxes captain Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans will have their hands full with the 35-year-old. Caglar Soyuncu could also be chosen to debutize for the absent Englishman.

Honourable mention goes to the electrifying Jose Izquierdo. Leicester City meet Brighton on Saturday, November 24. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.