Opposition View: Brighton
- Chris Hughton looks ahead to Brighton and Hove Albion's visit to Filbert Way (3pm kick-off)
- The Seagulls are among the Premier League elite for the first time in their history
- Hughton expects Leicester City to cement themselves in the top-flight
- Brighton Argus reporter Brian Owen also gives his thoughts on the clash to LCFC Radio
The newly-promoted Seagulls began life in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City at the AMEX Stadium, but they nonetheless stifled Pep Guardiola’s men for 70 minutes.
Speaking to the media on the south coast this week, Hughton said: “Squad-wise, [Leicester are] more or less the same. What they went through last season is probably expected.
“When you reach the heights that they did the season before, the pressure last season to get anywhere near those levels again is very difficult.
“I think it's very difficult even for one of the top teams, let alone a team that wasn't expected to get there.
“So I think that what they went through last season is expected but what they have done is levelled back now and I expect them to be a very consistent Premier League team this season."
Brian Owen, a reporter for the Brighton Argus, meanwhile, has provided an assessment of both the Seagulls and their hosts ahead of this weekend’s encounter.
“Brighton’s expectations this season in the Premier League are to be solid, competitive, hard to break down and organised,” he told LCFC Radio.
“There is a belief within this city that they can finish where they are after one game which is just before the relegation cut-off.
“There is an expectation further afield that they will finish below that line but there is a confidence that Brighton will stay up which wasn’t shaken too much by the defeat against Manchester City."
When highlighting the key threats at Brighton’s disposal, Owen named a familiar face to Foxes fans; Anthony Knockaert, who made a 106 appearances over three years at the Club.
“The biggest danger in the Brighton side is a French winger called Anthony Knockaert, who you might be aware of,” Owen added.
“He had an injury in pre-season but played in an Under-23s fixture, got about 15 minutes as a sub. He is likely to start after proving his fitness.
“You know what he is like, he will be highly motivated. There is a theory that he doesn’t produce as much away from home as he produces at home for Brighton.
“But the stats don't really back that up. There will be a lot of excitement in him, especially from the Brighton fans.”
Despite the optimism which promotion brings, Brighton will be wary of City’s top-flight pedigree after they narrowly lost out 4-3 at Arsenal on the opening day.
“The biggest worry is the firepower Leicester have got,” Owen concluded.
“When we watched that game on Friday and saw Leicester score three goals at Emirates Stadium, many probably thought what we have let ourselves in for in the Premier League.
“The firepower of [Jamie] Vardy, the creativity of [Riyad] Mahrez and the atmosphere at Leicester which we see on TV… it’ll be whether Brighton can stand up to that unit.”
Hear from both Chris Hughton and Brian Owen on Matchday Live, starting at 2pm on LCFC Radio on Saturday afternoon.