Fabian Hurzeler’s predicted Brighton XI vs Ipswich Town amid major Joao Pedro question mark
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler faces a number of selection dilemmas ahead of their Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
The Seagulls, who have seven points from their first three league matches, have a number of injury concerns alongside players jetting back from international duty from all corners of the globe.
Defender Joel Veltman, midfielders James Milner, Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and striker Evan Ferguson are all injury concerns, while first team regulars Pervis Estupian, Joao Pedro, Julio Enciso, Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma face long flights back to the UK after representing their countries. Pedro’s schedule is cause for the most
concern as the in-form striker represents Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Asuncion on Wednesday at 1.30am UK time. The 16-hour flight back from Paraguay on Thursday is not the ideal preparation for Saturday’s showdown. Paraguay’s Enciso has the same issue.
Here’s how Hurzeler’s Brighton could line-up to face Kieran McKenna’s newly-promoted Ipswich.
1. Bart Verbruggen – GK
The Dutch No 1 impressed on his return from injury at Arsenal and will likely be between the sticks against Ipswich Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
2. Joel Veltman – RB
The Dutchman will hope to recover in time from a thigh injury sustained against Arsenal. If not, Tariq Lamptey could come in for his first start of the season Photo: BENJAMIN CREMEL
3. Lewis Dunk – CB
The skipper will lead the team out against Ipswich Photo: Ryan Pierse
Very impressive so far this season and impossible to drop on current form
Joel Veltman responds to Delcan Rice’s red card as Arsenal dealt ‘worst decision’ in Premier League history
Brighton defender Joel Veltman admits Declan Rice’s controversial red card against the Seagulls last weekend was “harsh”.
The Gunners midfielder was dismissed for a second bookable offence during the 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium before the international break.
Rice was already on a yellow card and was shown a second when flicking the ball away as Veltman tried to take a quick free-kick after the defender was fouled by the England international.
The fact Veltman kicked through Rice as the Arsenal star made contact with the ball, however, invoked the ire of the home supporters, who were shocked to have seen Rice in fact sent off.
Speaking of the incident, Veltman told Sky Sports: “For me, it goes really far, with like comments on social media. We have a new game day coming up, so I don’t want to say a lot about it.
“The only thing I can say is that I didn’t want to kick him. It’s just he kicked it away, I kicked him. I find it quite harsh as well. If you see my reaction, you can look back, I was not going to the referee to get him a second yellow, I was going to him ‘Why did you kick it? I’m sorry I kicked you’.
“I think he gave an amazing comment. I think that’s what personally surprised me about him, how he commented in the media after.”
The Key Match Incidents panel (KMI) unanimously backed referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision, viewing Rice’s touch of the ball as “clear, deliberate and impactful”.
