Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Dec 20 – Will Sunderland’s Surprise Top-Half Charge Continue?

The American Express Stadium prepares for a fascinating mid-table collision that feels more like a tactical experiment than a traditional English scrap. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton, currently navigating a choppy period of inconsistency, welcome a Sunderland side buzzing with adrenaline. The Seagulls are looking to stabilize after a run of mixed results, while the visitors arrive with chests puffed out, fresh off a monumental Wear-Tyne derby victory over Newcastle United.

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Match Details at a Glance

Match Detail	Information
Match	Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland
Venue	American Express Stadium
Date	December 20, 2025
Time	9:00 PM (BDT) / 8:30 PM (INR)
Broadcast & Live Streaming	Click here to watch the Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland live on Sports Live Hub (SLH)

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Injury News and Suspensions

Brighton and Hove Albion

Fabian Hürzeler has a significant headache regarding his team’s spine. The defensive unit is depleted with Adam Webster ruled out until January 2026 due to a knee injury. Further forward, Solly March is still sidelined until late December, and Stefanos Tzimas isn’t expected back until April. However, the biggest blow comes from the disciplinary committee: both defensive leader Lewis Dunk and midfielder Diego Gomez are listed as suspended.

Sunderland

Regis Le Bris is not immune to roster issues either, though his mood will be lighter following recent successes. The Black Cats are without Habib Diarra (groin) and Ajibola Alese (shoulder), both of whom are targeting a return late this month. Leo Hjelde remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles tendon injury.

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Head-to-Head Records

Matches Played	35
Brighton and Hove Albion Won	14
Sunderland Won	14
Tied	7
First-ever Fixture	April 30, 1982
Most-recent Fixture	February 18, 2005

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Form Guide

Brighton and Hove Albion

The Seagulls find themselves in their recent form, two wins, one draw, and two defeats in the last five, highlights a team that is as capable of brilliance as it is of self-sabotage. The tactical emphasis on vertical possession allows players like Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh to shine in attack, creating chances at will. However, the high-risk nature of their shape has exposed defensive frailties.

Sunderland

Life back in the Premier League is treating the Wearsiders well. Sitting in 8th place, Regis Le Bris has successfully implemented a modern, high-energy style that has caught many established teams off guard. Their recent form is mixed but defined by that massive victory over their local rivals, which will have injected a massive dose of belief into the squad. The Black Cats excel in rapid transitions, using the pace of their forwards to exploit spaces left by opponents.

Also read:- Bournemouth vs Burnley Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Key Battles

Georginio Rutter vs Lutsharel Geertruida

Based on the players available, a likely key duel will unfold in the pockets of space between Sunderland’s midfield and defense. Rutter is the creative heartbeat for the hosts; his ability to receive the ball on the half-turn and drive at defenses is pivotal to Hürzeler’s system.

Tasked with neutralizing him is Lutsharel Geertruida. A versatile and intelligent defender, Geertruida is the glue in Le Bris’s backline. He needs to decide whether to step up and engage Rutter aggressively or hold his position to protect the space behind. If Geertruida gets too tight and is spun, the hosts will have a direct path to goal.

Brian Brobbey vs Jan Paul van Hecke

At the other end of the pitch, we have a heavyweight clash of physical attributes. Brian Brobbey, leading the line for the visitors, is a handful for any defender. His low center of gravity, immense strength, and ability to hold up the ball allow his team to get up the pitch quickly during transitions.

Jan Paul van Hecke will relish this physical battle, but he must be smart. With Lewis Dunk suspended (though listed in the squad, his absence in reality would place immense pressure here), Van Hecke becomes the senior figure at the back. He cannot afford to get rolled by Brobbey or commit fouls in dangerous areas.

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Tactical Outlook

Fabian Hürzeler is expected to deploy his fluid formation, likely starting as a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 that shifts heavily in possession. The plan will be to bait the Sunderland press and play vertical passes through the lines to bypass the midfield. Mats Wieffer will be crucial in the pivot, tasked with recycling possession and protecting the backline against counters. The Seagulls will push their full-backs high, particularly Kadioglu, to overload the wide areas.

Regis Le Bris will likely counter this with a compact, high-intensity shape. Drawing from the ‘Red Bull’ school of thought, the visitors will focus less on holding the ball and more on where they win it back. Expect a mid-block that snaps into a high press the moment a trigger is activated such as a slow pass to a Brighton center-back. Enzo Le Fee will look to release rapid balls into the channels for Brobbey and the wingers immediately upon turnover.

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Possible Playing Squad

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: 

Verbruggen (GK), Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gomez, Gruda, Minteh, Rutter

Sunderland XI:

Brobbey, Talbi, Le Fee, Traoré, Sadiki, Xhaka, Reinildo, Alderete, Ballard, Mukiele, Roefs (GK)

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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sunderland Match Prediction

While Brighton has the attacking quality in Rutter and Minteh to score goals, their “defensive frailties” are likely to be their undoing against a team that transitions as fast as the Black Cats. Expect a game with plenty of chances at both ends, but the momentum from the derby win might just carry the visitors through.

Score Prediction

Brighton 2–2 Sunderland, A chaotic, entertaining affair where Brighton’s possession dominance is neutralized by Sunderland’s lethal counter-attacks and the hosts’ defensive absences.

 

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

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