Brighton will aim to maintain their red-hot form as the Premier League returns on Oct 10. The in-form European challengers will travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.

Sunderland Aiming to Snap Losing Run

Regis Le Bris will feel the international break came at a perfect time for his Sunderland side, as the Black Cats lost back-to-back fixtures. This weekend’s hosts will need defensive improvement, as they’ve allowed seven goals over that period.

Goals have been in short supply throughout the season, having failed to score more than once in four of their five EPL fixtures. Brian Brobbey will be a notable absence this week, as the striker has scored three of the team’s six goals.

Habib Diarra and Dan Ballard are also unavailable due to injury. Wilson Isidor will lead the line after scoring three times in four for his national team during the international break.

Sunderland predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fee, Hume, Fofana; Isidor

Seagulls Flying at Start of New Season

Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion have been one of the standout teams in the opening rounds of the 2026-27 season. The Seagulls have avoided defeat in five of their six domestic fixtures, recording wins against Coventry, Man United, and Arsenal in their previous three.

Their attacking output has been incredible, scoring eight in their last two in the EPL. At 35, Pascal Groß is in superb form, with six goal involvements in three appearances.

Charalampos Kostoulas has also stepped up to fill the void left by Danny Welbeck, scoring in three consecutive club starts. Brighton will still need to contend with injury issues this weekend, as Pascal Struijk, Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, and Yankuba Miteh are all sidelined.

Brighton predicted lineup vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Ayari, Groß; Gomez, Yalcouye, Rutter; Kostoulas

Sunderland vs Brighton Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Brighton or Draw
  • Odds: 1.442 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: JSMCC
  • Correct score prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Brighton

Key stats:

  • Sunderland will be without Brobbey, who has scored half of the team’s goals this season.
  • Brighton have scored eleven goals in their last three.
  • Brighton have avoided defeat in five of six head-to-heads against Sunderland.

The Seagulls will be in red-hot form when the EPL returns after three straight victories, scoring eleven goals in the process and keeping two clean sheets.

Therefore, the Double Chance market is worth exploring this weekend, with a Brighton win or draw making plenty of appeal.

Without Brobbey, Sunderland's attack looks toothless: the rest of the squad have managed just three league goals in five matches. Brighton also boast a head-to-head advantage over the Black Cats, having won three and drawn two of the last six clashes.

Sunderland vs Brighton Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: BTTS - No
  • Odds: 2.22 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 85NCC

Sunderland will be without Brobbey, scorer of half their league goals, which makes BTTS - No strong value.

Brighton have kept clean sheets in back-to-back EPL encounters, while Sunderland have typically struggled in attacking areas this season, scoring more than once in one of their five league fixtures. BTTS - No has also been a winning selection in the previous three head-to-heads.

Verdict: Double Chance: Brighton or Draw (1.442) — Sunderland 0-2 Brighton