The Scout assesses the early-season displays of Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of their kind short-term schedule in Fantasy Premier League and identifies the best picks.
Brighton
The Seagulls have been quick out the blocks under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler, with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches of 2024/25.
They return to action after the international break with a pair of very favourable home matches against Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest in Gameweeks 4-5.
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Crucially, Brighton have impressed at both ends of the pitch since Hurzeler took charge. They have scored six goals - a total bettered by only three other sides - while they have conceded only twice, the third-best record in defence.
Danny Welbeck (£5.7m) has been Brighton’s standout performer in Fantasy so far, scoring two goals and supplying an assist. His total of 23 points ranks second among forwards, surpassed only by the 41 points of Erling Haaland (£15.2m).
Welbeck's 2024/25 highlights so far
Dat Guy Welbz. 💫 Our latest @PremierLeague Player of the Month nominee! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/rF9NrVuM9w
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 5, 2024
Fellow forward Joao Pedro (£5.7m) has also impressed, netting twice while playing as a No 10. The Brazilian is by far the Seagulls’ most-popular player in Fantasy, with an ownership of 28.5 per cent - almost double the 14.8 per cent of Welbeck. Joao Pedro has been brought in by 730,000+ managers ahead of Gameweek 4.
Brighton offer further options in midfield, with Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6m), Yankuba Minteh and Simon Adingra (both £5.5m) each involved in two goals.
Both Mitoma and Minteh have started all three of the opening Gameweeks, with the former combining a goal and an assist to claim 16 points.
Although Adingra has matched Mitoma’s attacking output, being directly involved in goals, he has appeared as a substitute in all of Brighton’s matches so far and is far from a secure starter.
Brighton's top-scoring players in Fantasy, GW1-3
| Player | Pts | G | A | CS* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welbeck | 23 | 2 | 1 | N/A |
| Joao Pedro | 18 | 2 | 0 | N/A |
| Mitoma | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Veltman | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Adingra | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Minteh | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Dunk | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
*Defenders earn four points for a clean sheet, midfielders earn one point
Who has had the greatest goal threat?
Welbeck’s fine start to the campaign is further highlighted by the underlying statistics. His total of six shots - all inside the opposition penalty area - claim top spot for Hurzeler’s side.
Mitoma runs Welbeck the closest here on five shots in the box, with Joao Pedro managing only three by contrast.
The trio have been Brighton’s most accurate players so far, each producing three shots on target.
Minteh has also impressed - despite failing to find the net, he’s had four shots, all inside the box. Although he’s played around 50 minutes less than each of the aforementioned trio, his 19 touches in the penalty area are more than any team-mate.
Brighton's main goal threats, GW1-3
| Player | Shots in box | Big chances | Shots on target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welbeck | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Mitoma | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Minteh | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Joao Pedro | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Adingra | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Who has been the most creative?
Minteh’s creative endeavours also catch the eye here thanks to his share of set-pieces.
The summer signing has made a team-high five key passes, also taking two corners and two free-kicks.
Welbeck impresses again, too, with his four key passes bettering the three of both Mitoma and Joao Pedro.
Lewis Dunk’s (£4.5m) distribution from defence is also worth noting - he has already made four key passes, almost a third of his total of 13 from last season.
Meanwhile, the departure of Pascal Gross has been good news for James Milner (£5.0m), who has taken six of Brighton’s 16 corners under Hurzeler.
Brighton's main creators, GW1-3
| Player | Key passes | Corners | Free-kick cross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minteh | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Dunk | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Milner | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Welbeck | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mitoma | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Joao Pedro | 3 | 1 | 0 |
So, who are the best Brighton picks?
Welbeck’s statistics back up his output and indicate he can continue to outperform Joao Pedro and remain one of the standout forwards priced at £6.0m and under.
The latter’s late call-up to the Brazil squad is another factor against him in the short term. Joao Pedro faces a late return from international duty this week, which could limit his pitch time against Ipswich.
In midfield, Mitoma has extended his fine form over the international break, with a goal and an assist for Japan against China.
Although Mitoma is a more secure long-term pick than Minteh, the latter appears to be an assured starter on the right flank until Solly March (£6.5m) steps up his fitness following a long period on the sidelines.
If you’re viewing Brighton players as short-term options then Minteh at £5.5m could provide great value for those two home matches against Ipswich and Nott'm Forest.
Minteh highlights v Everton
The best of Yankuba's #PL debut! 🇬🇲 pic.twitter.com/fefF6ld6E1
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 19, 2024
At the back, Hurzeler has confirmed Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) will be Brighton’s No 1 this season, although Dunk’s potential at both ends of the pitch can make him a better option. The centre-back’s 27 shots in the box and 21 headed shots both ranked among the top three defenders in 2023/24 Fantasy.
If you’re willing to fork out an extra £0.5m, though, Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m) could be worth considering. The Ecuadorian - who produced three goals and 10 assists in 46 starts across the last two seasons - is finally back to full fitness after an extended spell on the sidelines.
Estupinan made a big impact on his first appearance of the campaign against Arsenal in Gameweek 3. Despite playing only 18 minutes off the bench, the left-back had two shots and made two key passes, as well as taking two corners.
