Brighton are in formidable form and have been scoring at will recently, they have averaged 3.3 goals per match over their last 6 games and have scored at least 2 goals in all of these 6 games. Confidence is high at Brighton and they will put out a strong line-up as they will feel they have a chance of winning this whole competition. Liverpool are in poor form and in their recent draw with Chelsea they looked drained of confidence. Klopp has tried mixing things up in recent matches with the line-up but is yet to find a system that works. Liverpool’s biggest weakness has been a midfield without the capabilities of pressing like Liverpool want to and this is why Brighton were able to beat them. Brighton like to draw an opposition press and then quickly play through it to create chances. With Liverpool’s lack of energetic midfielders, it is hard to see Liverpool pressing effectively in this match and I expect Brighton to be the better team here. As much as Liverpool and Klopp’s recent seasons make you think at some point they will turn things around, I don’t see that happening in this match and expect to Brighton to make it 2 wins from 2 at the Amex this season.

Brighton matches are often high scoring, in the league 13 of their 19 matches have seen over 2.5 goals and their matches average 3.4 goals per match, the 2nd highest in the league behind Manchester City. Liverpool have also had 13 of their 19 matches involve over 2.5 goals and their matches average 3.1 goals per game. It has been 10 matches since a Brighton league match didn’t have at least 3 goals and that 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest was only De Zerbi’s 3rd match as manager. Only 2 of Liverpool’s last 9 matches in all competitions have had under 2.5 goals and these are their last 2 matches. However the 1-0 win over Wolves came with a rotated squad and the match against Chelsea had 3 xG but neither team was able to find the net.

The two matches between the teams this season have ended as a 3-3 draw and a 3-0 win with fast attacking football from both teams. Due to the knockout football taking place here, I see this having plenty of goals aswell and over 2.5 looks good value here.

Darwin Nunez brings chaos to a football match in a way I have never seen before. He is averaging 5.61 shots per 90 with 2.3 on target per 90. Nunez has had at least 1 shot on target in 11 of his last 13 matches only failing to do so when he came off the bench and played 30 minutes against Derby and in the 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City where he still managed 4 shots. Nunez is coming back from a recent knock but came on for the last 28 minutes against Chelsea where, unsurprisingly, he managed a shot on target. I think Nunez will start in this game but even if he is an option off the bench, he is more than capable of coming on and having an impact.