90min

Brighton predicted lineup vs Watford - Premier League

By Grey Whitebloom

Brighton goalscorer Neal Maupay is embraced by his teammates during an opening weekend Premier League win
Brighton goalscorer Neal Maupay is embraced by his teammates during an opening weekend Premier League win / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
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The tactical dexterity Brighton manager Graham Potter displayed during his side's victory over Burnley on the Premier League's opening weekend will be called upon again as the Seagulls host newly-promoted Watford on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton were trailing less than two minutes into their 2021/22 campaign, but a change in formation - and some poor Burnley finishing (an affliction Brighton know all too well) - turned the tide, earning Potter's side a 2-1 win.

Here's the lineup Potter may deploy - and indeed change mid-game - in an attempt to make it two for two to start their 2020/21 Premier League campaign.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Robert Sanchez, Shane Duffy - Soccer Player
Robert Sanchez (left) - donning his new squad number - is warmly greeted by the returning Shane Duffy / Visionhaus/Getty Images

Robert Sanchez (GK) - Still riding the crest of the wave after being selected by Spain for Euro 2020 - which ensured Brighton had more players in Spain's European Championship than Real Madrid - Sanchez is now Brighton's undisputed number one.

Shane Duffy (CB) - After a year away from the south coast with Celtic, in Ben White's absence, Duffy will slot back into his familiar position alongside Lewis Dunk.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - Club captain, icon and defensive lynchpin, Dunk can add goalscorer to that list as he - worryingly - finished the previous campaign with a non-penalty goal tally lower than only Danny Welbeck in the Brighton squad.

Adam Webster (CB) - Another staple of the backline, expect Webster to start week in, week out this season.

2. Midfielders & Wing-backs

Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma (left) rapidly underlined his importance to Brighton against Burnley and why several sides may be interested in his services / Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Pascal Groß (RWB) - As injuries to the likes of Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey restrict Potter's options, Groß may be tasked with sprinkling the game with his usual creativity from an unfamiliar wide role.

Jakub Moder (CM) - Few substitutes provided as much immediate impact as Moder last weekend, bagging an assist within seconds of his arrival on the pitch. His cameo has surely earned him a starting berth.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - The crown jewel at the heart of this Brighton side will invariably be included in every possible starting XI until he leaves the club - which may be quite soon...

Enock Mwepu (CM) - Brighton's marquee signing of the summer may have had his Premier League debut curtailed last weekend, but he can take solace in a likely opportunity to earn redemption in front of his home support for the first time on Saturday.

Solly March (LWB) - March's unshackling from the wing-back role he was tethered to so often last term didn't even last the entire 90 minutes of the Premier League's opening weekend, and he may very well find himself back there against Watford.

3. Forwards

Neal Maupay
Neal Maupay finished as Brighton's top scorer last term despite failing to reach double digits - he already has one this campaign / James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Neal Maupay (ST) - Fresh from a birthday goal, Maupay will undoubtedly be given the chance to add to his Premier League tally this coming weekend.

Leandro Trossard (ST) - The dynamic attacker is key to how Brighton play, and can expected to be a difference-maker on Saturday.

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