- Market odds: A draw with Jablonec is a big price at 4.6, but the Seagulls are a good bet at 1.45 in the moneyline market.
- Underdog line: Jablonec are an unappealing 6.9 underdog at Stadion Strelnice, Czechia.
- Recent results: Brighton are unbeaten in their last five games, winning each of the last five and landing big results against Arsenal, Sunderland and FK Zalgiris Kauno along the way.
Jablonec will make it interesting, but Brighton should be too strong
Match expectation
Brighton & Hove Albion should be expected to win in Czechia on Thursday, and they should be winning at a shorter price than they currently are, but Jablonec can make this game interesting by counterpunching in the correct score market.
Tactics
The Seagulls will certainly be the team in charge, with Fabian Hürzeler setting them up to press high and run at Jablonec with a high defensive line, fast vertical play and lots of numbers in the final third. Lubos Kozel's team have been set up more pragmatically of late, with a compact block and three men at the back, and they do have the ability to hurt Brighton on the counter.
Recent form
Jablonec's record reads two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five matches, but they were both a 1-0 away win over FC Zbrojovka Brno and a 3-2 defeat at SC Freiburg. It's worth noting, however, that their record over the last 10 in all competitions is four wins, two draws and four defeats, which looks a little more mixed to us and may better represent the team's prospects against a top-level European side on Thursday.
Hürzeler’s men have the right formula for Brighton
This clash of styles should work in Brighton's favour, as the hosts will inevitably be on the back foot and the English club will dominate territory. Jablonec have some decent individuals and they will find some space to exploit behind a press, but Brighton have enough of a goal threat that they should be able to force a breakthrough to edge the result if the odds are similar on matchday.
Jablonec have two wins, a draw and a loss from four home games in all competitions this season and they can make life difficult for the visitors at the Stadion Strelnice, but we're going to pass on the big price that is available for the draw and just take the odds-on favourite here.
Seagulls can find the right rhythm
Over 2.5 goals looks a better bet at 1.52 than Brighton in the moneyline, and it is still a strong bet.
- Jablonec have conceded an average of 1.50 goals per home game this season and should have a fair number of chances to get on the scoresheet, but the visitors have scored 13 times on the road already and average 2.60 per away game in all competitions.
- Pascal Gross has been the main creator for the English side, providing four assists in their last five as they have hit the net 13 times.
- Brighton's away record in all competitions stands at three wins, one draw and one defeat, so they have been in good shape on the road.
