Michael Owen makes a worrying prediction for 'favourites' Brighton at Burnley

Former Liverpool and England striker believes Brighton's fine recent run is in serious danger against Sean Dyche's Burnley at Turf Moor this afternoon
Michael Owen feels Burnley will pose a different kind of challenge for Brighton at Turf MoorMichael Owen feels Burnley will pose a different kind of challenge for Brighton at Turf Moor
Michael Owen feels Burnley will pose a different kind of challenge for Brighton at Turf Moor

Graham Potter's Brighton have been highly impressive of late and have claimed six points from their last two matches against Tottenham and Liverpool.

They have 10 points from their last 12, four clean sheets in a row and they are 10 points clear of the bottom three.

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Burnley have a few injury issues but Owen still feels Dyche's men could nick a close encounter at Turf Moor.

Former Seagulls strikers Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, as well winger Robbie Brady, midfielder Josh Brownhill and full-back Charlie Taylor were all sidelined by a variety of injuries for the defeat to Manchester City in midweek.

Dyche does not think any of the quintet will be sidelined for too long, but this weekend’s visit of Brighton may come too soon.

Brighton will be without Solly March after the winger hobbled off against Liverpool.

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But boss Graham Potter could welcome back Joel Veltman and Alexis Mac Allister, who both missed the shock win at Anfield.

Tariq Lamptey, Danny Welbeck, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Florin Andone are still sidelined.

"What a week it’s been for Brighton," wrote Owen in his Bet Victor predictions blog."Wins against Spurs and Liverpool have propelled the Seagulls away from trouble and you must give them credit.

"They’ve played well for most of the season without getting many points on the board, so it’s great to see it finally coming together from Graham Potter’s side.

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"This fixture, however, poses a different sort of challenge. Sometimes, it’s easier to play as the underdog, so coming into this match as favourites could change their mentality slightly.

"They are up against a Burnley side who, unlike their previous opponents, will let them play and sit off.

"That could mean we are in for a cagey affair and I think if Burnley are patient enough, they could nick this by the odd goal."

Burnley provisional squad: Pope, Bardsley, Mee, Taylor, Tarkowski, Pieters, Nartey, Dunne, Brownhill, Gudmundsson, Cork, Brady, Rodriguez, Vydra, Peacock-Farrell, Lowton, Long, Westwood, McNeil, Stephens, Wood, Barnes, Benson, Driscoll-Glennon, Mumbongo.

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Brighton provisional squad: Sanchez, Walton, Steele, White, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Veltman, Bissouma, Khadra, Propper, Lallana, Moder, Mac Allister, Alzate, Gross, Trossard, Izquierdo, Maupay, Tau, Zeqiri, Connolly.