Brighton & Hove Albion

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed Kaoru Mitoma will miss the final two Premier League matches after a hamstring injury against Wolves. He said the club is "in touch" with the Japanese FA and will "make a decision together" if Mitoma can participate at the World Cup.

• The Brighton boss added this is a "big blow" but he can rely on his squad as they have "good availability" and the club has shown "the whole season that we can always replace important players".

• He explained: "We see it more as a chance, a challenge, an opportunity to stick together as a team to face adversity, to show the right reactions. We can only do it by having great togetherness, by knowing that everyone in this team now can have an impact on our squad, our performance."

• Diego Gomez is fit and an option for Sunday, while Mats Wieffer could be in the squad but the club will need to see over the next few days.

• Hurzeler insisted "intensity" is the identity of his side: "We want to have that always on the pitch. We always want to start well, it's always nice to have a good start into a game, a good feeling, getting the fans behind yourself, dominating the opponents. That is always the idea, but it is not always possible because there is an opponent as well that wants to start well."

• On the excitement of potentially getting a place in the Champions League: "I feel the biggest excitement going to the special stadium, to the special atmosphere, facing a really strong opponent and preparing my team the best we can prepare."

• Hurzeler said he is "very impressed" by forward Danny Welbeck, who has been included in Thomas Tuchel's 55-man provisional England squad: "He gets these rewards because he deserves it and he works hard for it. I'm very pleased he is nominated for the big squad. Hopefully he can make the squad going to the World Cup."

• On Leeds United and playing at Elland Road: "I am expecting a team that is difficult to beat. I think they haven't lost since March in the Premier League, so it shows they're on a really good run. They have some good individual qualities, they play intense, they changed to a back five so it's a very compact team on the one side, but also an active team."

• He continued: "I think it is a special atmosphere playing in their stadium [Elland Road]. The fans are behind them, they've achieved something really nice by staying In the league so we expect a tough challenge."

Listen to commentary of Leeds United v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Sunday

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Brighton and Hove Albion could be looking at a top-six finish, and reaching the European dream, but what would that mean for their finances?

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire broke down the costs on the Brighton and Hove Albion podcast.

He explained: "It is really exciting [looking at a top six finish]. Some people have already thought about booking hotels for next May. Which is probably taking things a bit far. We could be in three European competitions, we could be in none. There's a huge buzz of excitement amongst the fanbase."

So is reaching the Champions League a gamechanger for the club, over the other two European competitions financially?

Maguire added: "If you take a look at the distribution of prize money. For every £100 given out in prize money, £74 goes to the Champions League, £18 to the Europa League and £8 to the Europa conference. To a certain extent it's Champions League or nothing."

Maguire explained the Europa Conference League can be difficult for clubs financially, because games are then often played on Sundays and Thursdays - typically more difficult days to sell hospitality packages. In addition, there's the need for a bigger squad.

"You actually make less money from the Premier League if you're in the Europa Conference, you don't make much money yourself," Maguire added.

"Palace have earned £15m this year. But by the time you have paid for travel, player bonuses and invested in an extra two or three match-standard players in the squad, you're actually down in money.

"Some of these revenue streams are overstated. Just how much exposure are you going to get? How much extra shirts are you going to sell? Even if Brighton do get into the Champions League, where are all the eyes? On Liverpool, Arsenal etc. Because they are the bigger brands. There will be people watching Albion, and you're hosting Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, they're great as a one-off. But I don't think it is as lucrative for the ancillary revenue streams.

"Then there's the sensitive issue of how you price the matches. Would they expect prices to be higher? Yes. Then you've got the fan backlash as they're going, 'you've go this money from sponsors, TV, why are you now taking money off us?'

"The Albion need to get that decision right. I don't think they will maximise revenue because Tony Bloom is a Brighton fan. I don't think they will go down that route if they do go there."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Explore all Brighton and Hove Albion content on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

• Listen to the show in full on BBC Sounds

• Watch the show in full on iPlayer

Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex is back with a new episode.

Midfielder Jack Hinshelwood assesses the win against Wolves. There's chat on Maxim De Cuyper and football finance expert Kieran Maguire explores the possible pros and cons of a second season in Europe.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Joe Sayers
Fan writer

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There comes a point every season when football stops being something you simply watch and starts taking over every spare thought in your life.

For Brighton fans, this is definitely that point.

With just a couple of games remaining and so much still on the line, everything suddenly feels bigger. Work becomes harder to focus on, conversations drift back to permutations and fixtures, and every notification on your phone feels like it could change the mood of your entire week. You try to distract yourself, but somehow football always creeps back in.

So how are everyone's nerves holding up?

Are people throwing themselves into work to avoid overthinking the table? Refreshing social media every five minutes? Watching highlights from earlier in the season for reassurance? Or perhaps convincing yourselves not to look at rival results before inevitably checking them anyway?

That is what makes this stage of the season so brilliant and so exhausting all at once. Every tackle feels massive. Every goal swings emotions wildly. One minute you are dreaming about Europe again, the next you are calculating every possible scenario in your head.

But this is also what being a supporter is all about. These are the moments you remember. The tension, the excitement, the sense of hope building with every passing week.

And the most exciting part of all is that Albion have put themselves in this position through quality, belief and consistency over the course of the season.

Now it comes down to one final push.

The players need us more than ever over these last games. We are so close to achieving something truly special once again, we just have to stay loud, stay proud and get the boys over the line.

Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external

We asked for your views after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Robin: Yet again the influence of Lewis Dunk held the team together. Two up in five minutes we took our foot off the pedal, no point in taking too many risks. Europe is within our grasp.

Fran: Comfortable win as it should have been especially getting the really early goals. But as happens when the other team then sit deep to stop further damage we cannot break them down. Today was a chance to improve the goal difference and just like we did against Burnley we couldn't do it. It's so obvious we need a good striker for next season.

David: The most impressive opening 15 minutes of any Brighton game I have watched. Wolves were blown away, although they were woeful.

Brian: Not Brighton's finest performance, but exactly the result we needed. European dream just two games away. I believe four more points will do it.

Wolves fans

Richard: No leadership, no communication, no defence. How on earth are we going to survive in the Championship? Terrible display - the players are just picking up their wages now, don't care about the badge they're representing.

Robin: Shambolic defending at the start and a two-goal deficit after just five minutes meant the result was inevitable. An improved effort after the break but it always seems they need to go behind before they show any intent in getting forward.

Kevin: As bad as ever. No improvement, just people who don't want to play for the club. Not sure on Rob Edwards yet as he inherited these players. Can see us struggling in the Championship next season.

David: An absolute shambles from the players. Rob Edwards is right to stop protecting them from criticism. It's obvious that players want to leave and it's up to Rob Edwards and the board to sort out the whole squad and bring in players who want to wear the old gold and black with the same pride as the fans who pay their wages.

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Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba says he is "excited" by the prospect of European qualification and that it is the team's "first objective".

The Seagulls climbed to seventh in the Premier League to boost their hopes of European qualification with a comfortable 3-0 victory over bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

"We scored two goals in seven minutes which was the perfect start," Baleba told BBC Radio Sussex post-match.

"We don't concede a goal, keep a clean sheet, it's a perfect win at home.

"They came back into the game but we kept pushing because we fell down a bit and got back up and kept playing our style. Like the gaffer said, intensity, and then we take the game and continue to play.

"I'm very excited for Europe. Europe is the first objective for the team - we want to play in Europe. We are in seventh position, we keep going, we have two games and we go step-by-step. At the end of the season we will see.

"I am happy to play regularly, I am happy for the group. My game is getting better and better. I learn from the few bad moments. It's OK - I am happy with that."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood says his opening goal with 35 seocnds on the clock epitomises what head coach Fabian Hurzeler installs in his team.

It took them just over half a minute to breach the Wolves defence on Saturday as Hinshelwood made history as he headed home a cross from left-back Maxim de Cuyper.

"The manager always speaks about starting the game fast and with intensity so that our opponents feel it," said Hinshelwood.

"And we did that. It was such a nice feeling [to score] and it set us on our way.

"It probably wasn't our best performance in terms of the ball, but it's results at this stage of the season that matter.

"We've just got to do what we can do. We did that against Wolves and we go to Elland Road next weekend and try to do the same again.

"We just have to give our all like we have been doing and get two good results to see where it takes us."

You can also listen to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba on BBC Sounds

Laura Kenyon
Final Score reporter

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Jack Hinshelwood is one of the Premier League's breakout stars of this season.

His versatility has been widely praised because of his ability to play at right-back , and increasingly in central midfield, and he now has a club record under his belt.

The Brighton academy graduate scored the Seagulls fastest ever goal in the Premier League on Saturday, with just 35 seconds on the clock.

And at just 21-years-old, he has a promising future ahead.

There are four generations of Hinshelwood's – all professional footballers – but none with a senior England cap. Could Jack be the one to change that?

If he continues to impress in the manner he has this season, then he will very likely be on Thomas Tuchel's radar in years to come.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth

• Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

• Manchester City 3-0 Brentford

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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It took Brighton just 35 seconds to find the response they were looking for in their commanding 3-0 win against Wolves on Saturday.

The Seagulls were undone by two early Newcastle goals in a disappointing 3-1 defeat at St James' Park last weekend.

This time, though, it was Fabian Hurzeler's side that delivered quickfire blows inside the first five minutes to seize control against Wolves.

Full-back Maxim De Cuyper replaced the injured Mats Wieffer and provided the assists for both goals - first floating in a cross for Jack Hinshelwood to score his fourth of the season.

It was further proof of the 21-year-old relishing the number 10 role offered to him by manager Hurzeler in February.

Brighton had one league win in 13 games when Hinshelwood was moved behind striker Danny Welbeck in the 2-0 win at Brentford. Since then, they have won seven of their 10 games.

But with two games still to play and sixth place likely to secure Champions League football, the stakes remain very high for Brighton, with Bournemouth, Brentford, Chelsea and Everton still in contention.

Hearing the Champions League anthem at the Amex next season might not have been high on most supporters' wishlists, but it is now a possibility - and would be a fitting reward for Hurzeler after he committed his future to the club with a new deal until 2029.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler talking to the BBC's Final Score: "Good start, really good start, two goals definitely helped our game and then we created a few more chances. We defended really well.

"Second half we got a bit sloppy, not that intense or high quality in our actions. We defended well, we tried, we kept going, I think it was a deserved win."

On upcoming games and European hopes: "We have to go all in now and approach it as unchanged. We will keep going and focus on the things we can control and our performance and then we will see what happens."

Brighton's Lewis Dunk speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Started the game top, 2-0, started excellently. Took the foot of the gas the second part of the first half, got sloppy. And then second half they had to come out stronger and it was a bit end-to-end, but we scored the three and kept a clean sheet - it was massive."

On being back, scoring and his celebration: "I've been dying for one, I've had a lot of chances this and last season, but I should've got more. It's nice to get on the scoresheet.

"I want to score goals. I'm good at scoring goals. It's been frustrating, but now I have one I can hopefully get another next week.

"Our kit man, Buzz, his son had a brain tumour and had surgery two weeks ago. He is recovering well so we wanted to send him some love. He's the nicest and happiest kid. I always get videos of him chatting about the Seagulls and we wanted to give some love to him."

On a potential return to Europe: "I think if you look at that period, it was frustrating. [James] Milner was a massive impact. If you look at the team that gaffer put out, we needed men to turn it around and Milner was a huge impact in that to understand what the group needed. He was fundamental.

"The whole group stuck together and now we're looking at Europe again. It's a mental season, one minute we're looking at relegation and now we're talking about Europe, it's great fun football, isn't it?"

Listen to Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• At 35 seconds, Jack Hinshelwood's opening goal was Brighton and Hove Albion's earliest in the Premier League, overtaking Alexis Mac Allister's effort after 49 seconds against Aston Villa in November 2022.

• Maxim Cuyper became just the third player to assist two goals in the opening five minutes of a Premier League match after Andrey Arshavin for Arsenal v Newcastle in February 2011, and Islam Slimani for Leicester v Manchester City in December 2016.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Fabian Hurzeler makes two changes to the Brighton side following a 3-1 defeat by Newcastle last week.

Lewis Dunk makes his first start since 21 March in place of Olivier Boscagli while injured Mats Wieffer is replaced by Maxim De Cuyper at right-back.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Welbeck, Mitoma, Kadioglu, De Cuyper, Gross.

Subs: Steele, March, Rutter, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Ayari, O'Riley, Veltman.

Wolves manager Rob Edwards makes just one change from the 1-1 draw against Sunderland.

South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan comes in to replace Tolu Arokodare who drops to the bench, which also features defender Ladislav Krejci, who is back from injury.

Wolves XI: Bentley, Hugo Bueno, Santiago Bueno, Andre, Joao Gomes, Armstrong, Hwang, Mosquera, Lima, Toti, Mane.

Subs: Gracey, Doherty, Wolfe, Arokodare, Rodrigo Gomes, Bellegarde, Krejci, Tchatchoua, Angel Gomes.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Liverpool v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brighton v Wolves

• Fulham v Bournemouth - listen BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Brentford (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brentford", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I thought Brighton would get the better of Newcastle last week and they certainly had their chances. They ended up losing that game, but there is no way they won't win this time.

Wolves had an upturn in form for a while under Rob Edwards but it doesn't feel like they have sustained that improvement. Yes, they got a point against Sunderland last week, but the Black Cats played for more than an hour with 10 men.

The Seagulls are at home and are one of the teams who have sixth place in their sights. I don't see them slipping up.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Brighton look to get back on track in their European quest on Saturday (15:00 BST) against a Wolves side yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season.

Hurzeler in it for the long-term at Brighton

This summer promises to be a managerial merry-go-round with several clubs and head coaches involved in the various imminent vacancies – but Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler won't be among them.

Hurzeler's new long-term deal comes with the Seagulls firmly in the mix to qualify for Europe, despite losing at Newcastle last weekend, a defeat which halted a run of four wins in five games.

The 3-1 scoreline was a bit misleading as Brighton dominated possession but failed to take their chances and were guilty of defensive errors. But they showed enough fight to suggest they will be determined to ensure that this weekend they don't suffer back-to-back league defeats for just the second time this season.

Hosting a poor Wolves side should also help on that front, especially given that the Seagulls are unbeaten in their last eight league games against the Molineux side (W5, D3) since a 1-0 home loss in December 2021.

But there are a host of other teams also in European contention - and with a trip to Leeds and a visit from in-form Manchester United to come, this is a game Brighton need to win.

Wolves seeking first league away win

It's been a miserable season for already relegated Wolves but it's been particularly grim away from Molineux, where they have at least won matches.

Wolves' only victory away from home this season came in the FA Cup against League Two side Grimsby Town, where they scored with their only shot on target in the match.

They haven't won away from home in this season's Premier League. In total, they are winless in their last 19 away Premier League matches (D5, L14), their worst such run since 2004, when they were winless in 23 games on the road.

Behind this damning statistic is the fact that Wolves have scored just seven goals in 17 away Premier League matches this season, an average of just 0.41 per game.

It's half the total of the team with the next worst record, which is Sunderland, who have scored 14 on the road. It's only just over a third of the total of Burnley, the team nearest to them in the table, who have scored 20 away goals.

Failure to score in both of their remaining away games would see Wolves equal the lowest-ever average of away goals scored in a single Premier League season. That record is held by Norwich City, whose seven goals in 19 away matches in 2019-20 gave them an average of 0.37.

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Brighton defender Joel Veltman says head coach Fabian Hurzeler "speaks our language" and "100% deserves" his new contract extension.

Hurzeler, 33, signed a new long-term deal at the club on Thursday. He is the youngest manager in Premier League history and has his side eighth in the table, on 50 points with three matches remaining, as they seek European football for only the second time in the club's history.

"He [Hurzeler] has done well for the club," Veltman, who is two years older than his head coach, told BBC Radio Sussex.

"He deserves this extension 100%. We will try and get to the next level with the club and that's what he has been doing now for two years in a row fighting for Europe.

"I think we are in a good place, fighting for the European places.

"For me, because of his age he speaks our language a bit more. He has really good staff around him who are really close to the players. The mix of not just him but his staff also are a good mix to be around here."

The Seagulls host already relegated Wolves on Sunday, before a trip to Leeds and a visit from Manchester United on the final day.

"It's just the final push," Veltman added.

"Last three games, get everything out of it, and then everyone will go their own ways. That's the mindset at the moment - three finals. At the end we have to see where we are at."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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Fabian Hurzeler has said one of his aims is "to build a high-performance culture", after signing his new long-term deal as Brighton head coach, because that puts them in a better position to win silverware in the long-term.

We asked for your views on what his main priorities should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: The only thing that has been consistent about our "on-pitch performances" in the last two seasons is the inconsistency. I'm still not 100% convinced by Fabian, but I was never one of those calling for him to go when things were spiralling this season and, now he has signed a new contract, I'm sure all genuine supporters will be wishing him success.

Luke: Good that we have some certainty going into the summer. Now we need a summer transfer window that really strengthens the first 11, regardless of if we are in Europe or not.

Ian: With a couple of new signings and retaining key players, I am confident that Fabian can take us to Champions League football in the next two seasons.

Jon: Firstly, getting into Europe so we have a chance of holding on to key players like JP and Ferdy. The obvious summer priority is boosting our forward line so we have more options, what with Welbeck getting older and our young Greeks lacking experience.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at American Express Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Mats Wieffer is a doubt because of a "small ankle issue", while Diego Gomez will be assessed to see if he can be available.

• On Gomez, who Hurzeler expected to have back for this game: "I'm hoping, but it's important we understand we can't risk his health and we have a responsibility for the players."

• Solly March and James Milner return and "will definitely be an option".

• He said Lewis Dunk did not feature against Newcastle "because he wasn't fully training", but he has this week and there's "always an opportunity for my captain to come back in and play".

• On opponents Wolves: "When you only look at the results it's one perspective, but they have a really good coach, structure and plan. We expect a team that's very disciplined and defend in a low block. They can still sting you."

• Hurzeler said their "biggest challenge is to bounce back" from the Newcastle defeat by overcoming "small margins" and eradicating "small easy mistakes" they made.

• On signing a new long-term deal: "I feel the trust. I feel the connection. I'm here to achieve something together with the players and staff. I always felt we were building something. I am really excited at what's ahead of us because I see a bright future for the club. I'm looking forward to being part of it."

• He said one of his aims is "to build a high-performance culture" because that long-term puts them in a better position to win silverware.

Got a question about Brighton? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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Success in Europe for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace has a knock-on impact on what Premier League finish may be required to qualify for continental competition next season.

A host of clubs can still dream of a European adventure but the picture is ever changing.

Given the complexity, BBC Sport has unpicked the latest permutations on what might be required to play in Europe next season