Leicester City return to Premier League action on Saturday with a challenging trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Foxes head into the clash on a high after a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over West Ham United, a result that marked a winning start for new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
It was a bold and impressive debut from the Dutchman, whose selection choices paid dividends as Leicester climbed to 14th in the table.
However, their battle to avoid relegation is far from over. The Foxes remain just four points above the drop zone, with tough fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City looming later this month. Securing points against an in-form Brighton side will be no easy task, as highlighted by pundit Paul Merson.
Paul Merson’s Brighton vs Leicester Prediction
Facundo Buonanotte’s absence for Leicester, due to the terms of his loan from Brighton, will be a significant blow. The Argentine has been pivotal for the Foxes this season, and his unavailability leaves a gap in their midfield.
Brighton, currently fifth in the league, are enjoying another impressive campaign under Roberto De Zerbi. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson tipped the Seagulls to come out on top at the Amex.
“What a phenomenal result for Leicester the other day,” Merson said.
“How did that happen, I don’t know though! I don’t think Brighton are as naive as West Ham.
“With the passing and movement Brighton have, I can’t see anything but a win for them here. That win over West Ham has papered over the cracks at Leicester. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great result.
“But it also gives them a false sense of security. Leicester weren’t even that great, I don’t know how they ended up winning 3-1! There’s no doubt that Leicester rode their luck en route to that win.”
Merson predicted Brighton to secure a 3-1 victory, dismissing Leicester’s recent success as an anomaly.
Merson on Leicester’s Survival Hopes
Looking ahead, Merson expressed doubts over Leicester’s ability to stay up, citing a worrying trend in their performances this season.
“The big problem with them is that when they get beat, they get completely blown away,” he explained.
“I just find that trend worrying, that’s their problem.
“This was quite evident in the games against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. I’d be shocked if Leicester stay up, I don’t see that happening at all. Conceding 20 shots in a game and winning every week is going to be hard. Brighton could rip them to shreds in this clash.”
While Leicester’s win over West Ham gave them a temporary reprieve, their defensive frailties and inconsistency remain glaring issues.
Van Nistelrooy faces a daunting task to address these problems quickly, with little margin for error in the weeks ahead.
As the Foxes prepare for another stern test, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A positive result against Brighton could boost their survival hopes, but a defeat may see them dragged back into the relegation mire. For now, Merson’s stark assessment serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Van Nistelrooy’s side.
