Match Previews

U23 Preview: Derby County V Albion

By Kieran Cleeves • 01 October 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-23s play their final league game before the international break, as they take on Derby County at Loughborough University this evening, kick-off 7pm.

The Seagulls remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League 2 Division 1, having won two and drawn four of their opening six games in the top flight.

Simon Rusk’s team occupy sixth position ahead of tonight’s game against the Rams, and victory in the East Midlands could move Albion into top spot, depending on results going to plan elsewhere.

Aaron Connolly fired a stoppage-time equaliser in the closing stages of last Monday’s game against Leicester City, as the Seagulls secured a hard-earned 2-2 draw to extend their unbeaten run.

Albion had previously come from behind to beat West Ham United 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, which followed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Manchester City and three successive draws against Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tonight’s opponents sit two points and two places behind Albion in the league table, with a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City coming in their most recent fixture.

But the Rams have also recorded 1-0 victories over Chelsea and Everton in their last four games, and will be looking to leapfrog the Seagulls in the league table with maximum points in Loughborough.

Albion will then turn their attention to the Checkatrade Trophy after this evening’s game — Albion travel to the ABAX Stadium to face League One side Peterborough United on Tuesday 9th October.

Albion supporters can follow a live text blog from tonight’s game on the Match Centre, with a report being uploaded after the full-time whistle.