Ipswich vs Brighton: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Brighton are searching for their first Premier League win since November when they take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Thursday night.

After starting the season so strongly under young German manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton have plummeted into the bottom half of the table following a winless December. The Seagulls have been battered by injury after injury over the winter, but their recent performances have warranted more points.

They've picked up four draws in their previous four league outings and were able to let off some steam at the weekend as they thumped second-tier Norwich City 4-0 in the FA Cup.

Ipswich supporters doubtlessly would've had smiles on their faces when they saw Saturday's result from Carrow Road roll in, and their weekend was made even better the following day as Kieran McKenna's side eased past Bristol Rovers to progress into the fourth round.

Recent signs suggest Ipswich won't go down without a fight this season. They secured their first home win of the league campaign against Chelsea to round off 2024 and were denied a victory at Fulham by a Raul Jimenez penalty in stoppage time last time out.

Here's 90min's guide to Thursday's Premier League clash.

Ipswich vs Brighton H2H Results (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Ipswich vs Brighton on TV and live stream - UK & US

Ipswich team news

Omari Hutchinson (R) misses out due to a groin strain / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

The hosts are without a couple of key attacking players on Thursday, with Omari Hutchinson poised for a brief period on the sidelines after missing Sunday's win over Bristol Rovers with a groin injury. McKenna also won't be able to call upon Sammie Szmodics due to an ankle issue.

Ipswich have already lost Chiedozie Ogbene for the season after he tore his Achilles, while Axel Tuanzebe and Conor Chaplin are also absent.

Liam Delap has been Ipswich's star this season and he'll be leading the Tractor Boys' line at Portman Road on Thursday.

Ipswich predicted lineup vs Brighton

Ipswich predicted lineup vs Brighton (5-2-3): Walton; Johnson, O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Broadhead, Delap, Clarke.

Brighton team news

Joao Pedro rolled his ankle in training / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

There have been plenty of moans from north London regarding injury woes, but no team has been hit harder by enforced absences than Brighton.

The Seagulls' injury list is still extensive, and they could be without nine first teamers on Thursday.

Joao Pedro is the latest casualty, with a rolled ankle leaving his status for the next few games in doubt. Hurzeler also won't have Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and new arrival Diego Gomez available for this one.

Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh are both doubts, but Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey should be fit to return. Danny Welbeck is also back in action which comes as a big boost for the visitors.

Brighton predicted lineup vs Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck.

It's been far too long since Brighton claimed victory in the Premier League, and although Ipswich's resilience warrants tremendous credit, they're going to struggle through Thursday's game in the absence of Szmodics and Hutchinson - Delap's impressive supporting acts.

Hurzeler's side were ruthless at the weekend, and the steam let off at Carrow Road should ease the tension on Thursday night. They may well enjoy trips to East Anglia, and we could see Welbeck, upon his return to the Premier League XI, inspire a long-awaited triumph for the visitors.