Brighton & Hove Albion have grown used to inferiority in the Premier League, but in the storied FA Cup tournament the Blue and Whites have a chance to make their mark. With a respectable 7th place placing in the league table, Brighton are well aware that an FA Cup triumph could become a watershed moment for their fans. Facing opposition in the Round of 16 may not be easy, however such is their desire for success, they will be sure to approach every game with unwavering commitment and focus. No matter what happens, one thing is certain: Brighton & Hove Albion’s determination to make a statement in this competition will never waver until they reach the finish line.
The Seagulls have the unique challenge of facing Stoke City in the FA Cup this season as they look to progress as far as possible in the competition. Although Stoke City are well-known for their loyal fan base and deep history, reaching back to 1863, the team is currently situated in an unfortunate position in the EFL Championship. Despite this however, there is still a sense of hope and excitement surrounding the Potters who will be looking to draw on their many years of experience and determination. While it may not be easy for them to go all the way and win the trophy, one can never know for sure just what can happen in football – and with that being said, Stoke City will be ready to take on any opposition with full intensity.
Stoke City
Stoke City face a tough challenge this week as they attempt to progress to the FA Cup 1/8th finals quarterfinals for the first time since 2011/12. It’s been a good season thus far for Stoke, who have achieved 11 wins and seven truces in 34 rounds, accumulating 40 points and holding their 17th place in the standings of England’s prestigious football league. However, with no chance of making playoffs or qualifying for EPL play, the only remaining motivation is pushing on into a surprise cup run. Tonight’s match is set to be an intense evening at the stadium that will either see an invigorated team move onto bigger feats this season or slither back into mediocrity – all eyes across the English Football League are watching!
The team has fought hard in its journey so far, clinching victories against Huddersfield Town FC (3 – 0) and Swansea City AFC (3 – 1), but suffering several losses such as against Blackpool FC (0 – 1) and Millwall FC (0 – 1). In the FA Cup, however, they have had more luck, beating two smaller teams in Hartlepool United FC (3 – 0) and Stevenage FC (3 – 1). This next match against Brighton will be the first real test of their strength in a while. Can they pull off yet another victory? Only time will tell.
Twelve years ago, Stoke City Football Club found themselves in a strong position within the Premier League and boasted a squad full of prominent players. In 2011, they achieved one of the greatest feats in their history by reaching the cup final. Unfortunately, they were defeated at Wembley but not before giving Manchester City FC under the guidance of Roberto Mancini a tough fight. What ultimately decided the match was a late goal from Yaya Toure which solidified their fate as runners-up. Although they had come close to winning the Cup that year, it remains as one of the most noteworthy achievements for Stoke City ever.
After a few years of success in the Premier League, the fans of Preston North End had high hopes for even bigger accomplishments. Sadly, their dreams were never met and the club underwent a sharp decline. Now they are at the bottom of table equator after finishing 15th last season, achieving even more modest results this season under Alex Neil’s leadership. With no chances to make it back to the elite with their current situation, the beloved club is still dragging through an insignificance unlucky streak.
The Potters have been punching above their weight this season with a 1.2 xG per game, despite conceding an impressive 1.07 on average. Despite the good all-around display, their strength has been hit by some mediocore goalie play more than expected, with 9 goals conceded more than xGOT anticipated. Fortunately, they found some much-needed support in the form of Matija Ĺ arkić who arrived during the winter transfer window. He quickly established himself as the main goalkeeper and played a crucial role in securing their victory in the competition–an accomplishment that surely owes to his great confidence and assuredness between the posts.
Stoke will be without the services of midfielder Nick Powell for the foreseeable future, after he suffered a serious knee injury. But there is some good news for their supporters as defender Josh Tymon has recovered from an ankle injury and managed to play a part in last weekend’s match against Millwall. After recovering from his setback, Tymon is looking to get back in peak physical condition, so a healthy appearance in the starting lineup may not be far behind. Having him back fit and firing would certainly help to lift the team’s morale, as they look to move up the table following their disappointing start to this season.
The transfer of Axel Tuanzebe to Stoke has been welcomed by the club, and fans alike. Hailed as a promising English defender, this season has been difficult for him with a foot problem leaving him out of contention. Prior to this, however, he showed his potential having played at both Aston Villa and SSC Napoli on loan last season. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to make an influence on the pitch before the end of this season; definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Brighton & Hove Albion
After yet another tumultuous season of rampant player turnover, it seemed unlikely that Brighton & Hove Albion FC would find themselves in contention for a European Cup spot. But amid all the uncertainty, Roberto De Zerbi emerged as a beacon of hope. Invited to take over from Graham Potter in the fall, the Italian coach quickly brought order and focus to the squad, his expertise in offensive football giving the team an entirely new dimension. His tactics paid off during the winter months as Brighton’s form skyrocketed and they soon found themselves dreaming of Europe. Though their dreams were ultimately dashed by stringent COVID-19 regulations, little can deny that De Zerbi achieved unprecedented successes in his first year at Brighton.
Brighton and Hove Albion have had an impressive season this year, sitting 6 points behind the UEFA Europa League qualifying position despite many setbacks in their campaign. The Seagulls have made it a priority to work hard in every match, endeavoring for an attractive style of possession soccer. They have outscored their opponents with 1.64 xG per game versus 1.2 allowed on average in the league matches, making them noteworthy for their ability to create convincing chances against any defensive line. The club may have stumbled in the last few rounds, but with only one match left, Brighton still stands a chance at putting themselves in contention for next season’s European tournament slots.
Brighton missed out on Middlesbrough FC in their cup journey, with a convincing 5-1 victory before going on to pull off a crucial result by beating the previous round’s winner, Liverpool FC 2-1. This win has put them firmly in the running for the title, giving them an impressive chance at achieving their first ever FA Cup title. In 1982/83 they achieved their highest finish, reaching the final and comprehensively beating Manchester United 4-0. Unfortunately though, last season was undone when they were eliminated from the 1/16 finals by Tottenham Hotspur (1-3). With Brighton’s strong performance so far in this year’s tournament there is still hope for silverware for this historic club.
The upcoming soccer game between Brighton and Stoke is going to be quite different from Brighton’s other matches this season, as the team is looking at a considerably weakened midfield in their absence of vital players Adam Lallana and Jakub Moder. Danny Welbeck and Levi Colwill have also been ruled out, with ankle and muscle issues respectively, further depleting their known starting eleven. Unlike some of the other absentees, Pervis Estupinan was injured during their last match against Fulham, limiting his chances of making an appearance in this upcoming encounter. With so many experienced players being unable to participate, who can rise up for Brighton and become a hero for them in this particular game?
This game promises to be quite an intense and exciting clash, with a high stakes situation for both sides. The Seagulls have the higher status, skill level, and technical class of players, however, the Potters will no doubt bring enthusiasm and motivation bolstered by their supportive home crowds. Neither side can afford the mistake and expect to win; the cost of one slip-up will likely decide the victor in this tight encounter. With such little room for error from either team, goals may be hard to come by, although watching each team scramble to put out opponent’s attacks should engrossing viewing.
