With the 2023-24 Premier League season less than a week away,, football fans eagerly anticipate the tactical battles that will unfold on Premier League pitches up and down the country. Brighton & Hove Albion, a club known for its progressive style of play and tactical astuteness, will be looking to see how they can improve on last season’s 6th-placed finish. Let’s take a look at the Seagulls' tactical approach, key players, and potential challenges they may face in the upcoming season.
A look at Betstation's Louisiana sports betting sites shows that Brighton is currently ranked eighth favourite for the Premier League title, indicating another top-six finish may be difficult to achieve. Let’s look at how Brighton’s tactics may help them to over-achieve once again:
A look at Betstation's Louisiana sports betting sites shows that Brighton is currently ranked eighth favourite for the Premier League title, indicating another top-six finish may be difficult to achieve. Let’s look at how Brighton’s tactics may help them to over-achieve once again:
- Managerial Philosophy: Under the guidance of the enigmatic Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton has developed a distinct tactical philosophy centred around possession-based football, drawing in the press and lightning-fast counterattacks. The team's patient and purposeful approach to ball circulation in and around their own penalty area allows them to control games and create numerous scoring opportunities. De Zerbi’s commitment to attacking football earned them many admirers in the 2022/23 campaign and made them a match for even the very best Premier League sides.
- Playing Style and Formation: Brighton typically employs a fluid and flexible 4-2-4-1 formation, which allows for seamless transitions between defence and attack. This setup prioritises positional interchangeability and encourages fullbacks to overlap and provide width in the attacking phase. The midfield plays a crucial role in dictating the tempo of the game, with one player often dropping deeper to assist in build-up play.
- Offensive Strategy: Brighton's offensive strategy revolves around patient build-up play and exploiting spaces in the final third. They prioritise creating numerical superiority in wide areas, enabling overlapping fullbacks to stretch opposition defences and deliver dangerous crosses into the box. The midfield contributes with incisive passes and well-timed runs to support the attacking players. Brighton's attacking prowess relies heavily on their ability to beat a high press and break with pace.
- Defensive Organization: Defensively, Brighton emphasises maintaining a compact shape and pressing high up the pitch to disrupt opposition build-up play. Their defenders are adept at executing timely interceptions and winning aerial duels, while midfielders actively track back and apply pressure in central areas. The team's commitment to collective defending and disciplined positioning makes them difficult to break down, often forcing opponents into long-range efforts.
- Potential Challenges: While Brighton's tactical approach and attractive brand of football have earned them plaudits, they may face challenges in the upcoming Premier League season. Maintaining consistency and managing injuries, particularly with the demands of Thursday night Europa League football, will be crucial for sustaining performance levels throughout the campaign. Additionally, breaking down teams that adopt deep defensive blocks could pose a challenge, requiring increased creativity and patience in their offensive play. Has De Zerbi got a plan B?
- Ambitions and Expectations: Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical acumen and the greater squad depth now available to him could see the Seagulls having another strong Premier League campaign. However, navigating the intense competition in both league, domestic cup and Europa League campaigns may require adaptability and resilience from both the players and the coaching staff.