Brighton v Kauno Žalgiris: Conference League preview, predicted line-ups & team news
Brighton open their Conference League league-stage campaign at the Amex against Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris, with the bookmakers already treating the game as a formality.
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Brighton
Kauno ŽalgirisBrighton v Kauno Žalgiris: round hook
Brighton begin their Conference League league-stage campaign on Thursday night, and the market has already settled the argument. Brighton are 1/33 to beat Kauno Žalgiris at the Amex, with the Lithuanian visitors priced at 76/1 and the draw at 25/1.
The interest lies in the margin. Bet365 make over 3.5 goals 2/5 and a Brighton win by three clear goals or more is heavily backed on the handicap lines. Kauno Žalgiris arrive with no league-stage games played, so Brighton are the only side here with a recent European record to read.
How they got here
Brighton's recent European form is short but emphatic. They drew 0-0 away at Tromso on 20 August, then won the home leg 4-0 on 27 August. That is two clean sheets in two games, 73% average possession and nine corners per game.
The Seagulls scored 3 of their 4 goals before the break in that home game, with 2 in the 31-45 minute window.
Kauno Žalgiris are the unknown quantity. Our data shows no matches played for them this season in this competition, so there is no form line to quote.
BrightonKauno Žalgiris
Rotation and selection
Cup rotation is the obvious question. Thursday night European games sit awkwardly beside the weekend league schedule, and a home tie against the lowest-rated side in the draw invites changes. Brighton have the depth to do it. Their squad lists attackers Kostoulas, Mitoma, Minteh, Ibrahim, David and Rutter, so the front line should stay potent whoever starts.
Expect a mix of regulars and fringe players, with the experienced Dunk and Kadıoğlu likely to anchor a back line that has not conceded in Europe this season.
Predicted line-ups for Brighton v Kauno Žalgiris
Brighton: Verbruggen; Kadıoğlu, Dunk, De Cuyper; Groß, Wieffer; Minteh, Ayari, Mitoma; Kostoulas
Kauno Žalgiris: Mikelionis; Tolordava, Konatar, Kalik, Lekiatas; Sirgedas, Slivka
Rotation is a real risk for Brighton, so expect some of those names to be swapped.
Where to watch Brighton v Kauno Žalgiris: TV and online streams
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Thursday 15 October at the Amex Stadium. It is shown on TNT Sports where selected, which holds the UK rights to the competition this season. Exact channel details for this game have not been confirmed, and this page will be updated closer to kick-off.
This is a league-stage game, so there is no second leg, extra time or penalty shootout. The match is played over 90 minutes and a draw stands as a result.
Stats for Brighton v Kauno Žalgiris
- Brighton have kept clean sheets in both of their recent European games, drawing 0-0 away at Tromso on 20 August and winning 4-0 at home a week later.
- Brighton averaged 23 shots per game and 7 on target across those two matches, with 9 corners per game.
- Kauno Žalgiris have played no matches in this season's competition, and no head-to-head record exists between the sides.
- Bet365 price Brighton at 1/33, over 2.5 goals at 1/8 and over 3.5 goals at 2/5.