Brighton and Sunderland played out a 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium on Saturday as both teams struggled to get going.
WATCH — Full match replay
Both are missing some big players to AFCON and it impacted their rhythm as nobody really controlled this game. Omar Alderete came closest for Sunderland but was denied by Bart Verbruggen, while Yasin Ayari missed a host of good chances for Brighton.
With the draw Brighton are on 24 points, three points behind Sunderland.
AFCON absentees impact both teams
Both of these teams are missing big players to AFCON and it really hit them in key areas. Brighton missed Carlos Baleba in midfield as they weren’t able to keep winning the ball back and keep the pressure on. Sunderland are missing five key players and their midfield and attack looked a little clunky and less dangerous than it has for most of this season. Still, both teams are in the hunt for Europe and given the fact that Sunderland are new boys and Brighton have had to deal with loads of injuries again, both should be happy with that as we approach the halfway point of the season.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Arsenal on December 27, while Sunderland host Leeds on December 28.
Brighton vs Sunderland score: 0-0
Brighton vs Sunderland live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Ayari blasts a great chance over
Open start to the second half continues as a ball back to Ayari picks him out in acres of space in the box, but the ball takes a nasty hop just before he shoots and it flies way over the bar. And it has done it a few times since. Brighton pushing for the win.
Great save from Verbruggen!
A cross into the box is powered towards goal by the head of Alderete, but Bart Verburggen gets a strong hand to it and the looping ball drops just wide. Sunderland are peppering Brighton with set pieces at the start of the second half.
Half time: Brighton 0-0 Sunderland
Very even first 45 at the Amex as Brighton started well but Sunderland have grown into it.
Good chance for Sunderland!
They have a period of sustained pressure but Verbruggen comes off his line to deny Brobbey initially. Then Sunderland whip in a cross and Rigg arrives but can’t sort his feet out. Much better from the Black Cats.
Sunderland have improved
This is a very tight, tense game. Sunderland have improved without having big chances. Most of this game is being played in midfield and it’s very scrappy.
Roefs denies Wieffer!
Brighton have started well and a corner is whipped in to a dangerous area. Wieffer climbs high but his header is tipped over well by Roefs.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Coppola, Boscagli, De Cupyer; Hinshelwood, Ayari; Minteh, Gruda, Kadiogolu; Georginio
Sunderland lineup
Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Xhaka, Geertruida, Rigg; Adingra, Brobbey, Le Fee
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Diego Gomez (suspension), Lewis Dunk (suspension), Carlos Baleba (international duty - AFCON), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee), Stefanos Tzimas (unspecified)
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Chemsdine Talbi (international duty - AFCON), Habib Diarra (international duty - AFCON), Luke O’Nien (suspension), Aji Alese (shoulder), Noah Sadiki (international duty - AFCON), Reinildo Mandava (international duty - AFCON), Arthur Masuaku (international duty - AFCON), Bertrand Traore (international duty - AFCON)
Brighton vs Sunderland preview
The Black Cats have won seven of their first 16 games to restart life in the Premier League, and their 26 points are just two behind fourth-place Chelsea. They’re also starting up to a month’s time without six players who have joined their teams for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Brighton are hanging around at midtable with 23 points, and a win would boost them above the Black Cats and likely put them back into a European place. Fabian Hurzeler’s men are slumping a bit, taking just one point from their last nine available, though the losses came against Aston Villa and Liverpool. They’ll expect to get back into the win column at home to a Black Cats team winless in their last three away from the Stadium of Light.
How to watch Brighton vs Sunderland live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Amex Stadium — Falmer, Sussex
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Brighton vs Sunderland prediction
Regis Le Bris has done a marvelous job with the Black Cats but it’s difficult to outfox a team down so many pieces. Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, and Reinildo have all been key pieces and Habib Diarra a star when healthy. Brighton are also missing some players including influential Carlos Baleba, but he had been slumping of late. The Seagulls will have enough, and this could be the start of a rough month for the Black Cats. Brighton 2-0 Sunderland.
