Brighton vs Sunderland takes center stage in Premier League Round 17, as the Seagulls welcome the Black Cats to the American Express Stadium on Saturday night. With cool winter conditions expected around 9°C and nearly 32,000 fans in attendance, this fixture promises an intense and competitive atmosphere on the south coast of England.
Both sides arrive with mixed recent form and several key absences, making this an evenly poised encounter. Brighton will look to use their home advantage and structured build-up play, while Sunderland aim to continue their trend of upsetting stronger opponents through discipline, energy, and quick transitions.
Match Overview – Brighton vs Sunderland
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Brighton & Hove Albion vs Sunderland |
| Competition | Premier League 2025/26 |
| Matchweek | Round 17 |
| Date & Kick-Off | Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 20:30 |
| Venue | American Express Stadium, Falmer, East Sussex |
| Capacity | 31,872 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 9°C – Cool Conditions |
Brighton are expected to control possession and dictate tempo, while Sunderland may sit deeper and look to counter through pace and direct play.
Recent Form Guide – Brighton vs Sunderland
Brighton & Hove Albion – Last 5 Competitive Matches
Brighton’s form has been inconsistent, with defensive issues offsetting moments of attacking quality.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/12/25 | Liverpool | 0–2 | Loss |
| 07/12/25 | West Ham | 1–1 | Draw |
| 03/12/25 | Aston Villa | 3–4 | Loss |
| 30/11/25 | Nottingham Forest | 2–0 | Win |
| 22/11/25 | Brentford | 2–1 | Win |
Sunderland – Last 5 Competitive Matches
Sunderland have shown resilience, including a notable derby win, but remain inconsistent away from home.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/12/25 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Win |
| 06/12/25 | Manchester City | 0–3 | Loss |
| 03/12/25 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Draw |
| 29/11/25 | Bournemouth | 3–2 | Win |
| 22/11/25 | Fulham | 0–1 | Loss |
Head-to-Head – Brighton vs Sunderland
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 2011 | League Cup | Brighton vs Sunderland | 1–0 (AET) |
| 19 Feb 2005 | Championship | Brighton vs Sunderland | 2–1 |
| 30 Oct 2004 | Championship | Sunderland vs Brighton | 2–0 |
Summary:
- Brighton Wins: 2
- Sunderland Wins: 1
- Draws: 0
Meetings have been rare in recent years, but Brighton hold a slight historical edge at home.
Top Scorers
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Danny Welbeck – 7 Goals (16 Matches)
- Sunderland: Wilson Isidor – 4 Goals (16 Matches)
Welbeck’s experience and movement remain crucial for Brighton, while Isidor provides Sunderland with pace and direct goal threat.
Predicted Lineups – Brighton vs Sunderland
| Position | Brighton (4-2-3-1) | Sunderland (4-2-3-1) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Bart Verbruggen | Robin Roefs |
| RB | Mats Wieffer | Nordi Mukiele |
| CB | Jan Paul van Hecke | Daniel Ballard |
| CB | Olivier Boscagli | Omar Alderete |
| LB | Ferdi Kadioglu | Lutsharel Geertruida |
| CM | Yasin Ayari | Granit Xhaka |
| CM | Jack Hinshelwood | Chris Rigg |
| RW | Yankuba Minteh | Wilson Isidor |
| CAM | Brajan Gruda | Enzo Le Fée |
| LW | James Milner | Eliezer Mayenda |
| ST | Georginio Rutter | Brian Brobbey |
Final lineups will be confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players – Brighton vs Sunderland
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | Carlos Baleba | International duty |
| Adam Webster, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, Tom Watson | Injury | |
| Lewis Dunk, Diego Gómez | Suspension | |
| Sunderland | Bertrand Traoré, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo | International duty |
| Habib Diarra, Ajibola Alese, Leo Hjelde | Injury | |
| Luke O’Nien | Suspension |
Both teams are significantly affected by absences, particularly in defense.
Statistical Projection – Brighton vs Sunderland
| Metric | Brighton | Sunderland |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots on Target | 5–7 | 3–5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.6–2.0 | 1.1–1.4 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 34% | 22% |
| Corners | 6–8 | 4–6 |
| Most Likely Scorer | Danny Welbeck | Wilson Isidor |
Prediction Summary – Brighton vs Sunderland
Why Brighton Could Win
- Home advantage at the Amex
- Strong midfield control
- Greater attacking depth
- Sunderland’s weakened defense
Why Sunderland Could Surprise
- Confidence from derby win
- Physical midfield presence
- Effective counter-attacking options
This match is expected to be closely contested, with Brighton controlling possession but Sunderland remaining dangerous on the break. A narrow home win appears the most likely outcome.
Final Score Prediction : Brighton & Hove Albion 2–1 Sunderland
Likely Scorers:
- Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
- Georginio Rutter (Brighton)
- Wilson Isidor (Sunderland)
Confidence Levels:
- Brighton Win – 46%
- Draw – 29%
- Sunderland Win – 25%
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FAQs – Brighton vs Sunderland
1.When is the match played?
Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 20:30 , American Express Stadium, Falmer, East Sussex, England.
2.Who is in better form?
Both teams show mixed form, but Brighton have a slight edge at home.
3.Who are the key players?
Danny Welbeck for Brighton and Wilson Isidor for Sunderland.
4.What type of match is expected?
A tactical contest, with Brighton dominating possession and Sunderland threatening on counter-attacks.
