Dave | Albion & FPL

BHA | FPL (Top 0.1% | 25/26) | Investor

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

Any FPL manager looking at Brighton assets needs to consider that the season starts with four games in 10 days.

20 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off, first leg
23 Aug – Aston Villa (H)
27 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off, second leg
30 Aug – Chelsea (A)

That's particularly relevant for anyone currently considering BB1 or BB2.

Rotation, minutes and squad management could all be significant factors over the opening spell.

I've heard on reasonably good authority that Brighton would like to use the Conference League as an opportunity to give the wider squad more experience and playing time. However, the intention is also to field a very strong side in the qualifying ties.

We'll be in a much better position to assess Brighton's FPL assets once we know the qualifying opponent, the order of the ties, and the result of the first leg. A convincing first-leg lead, for example, might have a significant bearing on rotation and minutes.

For now, though, there's an argument that the only player who's 100% nailed for 90+ minutes in GW1 & GW2 is Bart Verbruggen.

Key information still to come:

• 3 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off draw (opponents confirmed).
• 8 Aug – Friendly vs Roma.
• 15 Aug – Friendly vs Bologna.
• 20 Aug – First leg of the Conference League play-off.

If you're considering Brighton assets, it makes sense to wait until after the first European tie before making a final call.

#FPL

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

Brighton will face Tromsø or CFR Cluj in the Conference League play-off, with the first leg away from home.

For FPL purposes, the fact that the first leg is away is the main point from today's draw.

20 Aug — Conference League, away
23 Aug — Aston Villa, GW1
27 Aug — Conference League, home
29 Aug — Chelsea, GW2

Brighton will be favourites against either side, but both away trips involve significant travel, particularly Tromsø, which is above the Arctic Circle.

An away first leg also makes it a little more likely that Hürzeler picks a stronger side in Europe than he might have done had the first leg been at the Amex.

That doesn't mean Brighton will suddenly rotate half the team against Villa. It just nudges the probability of minutes risk upwards.

The practical implication is that, if you're looking for Brighton players to deliver 90+ minutes across both GW1 and GW2, today's draw makes that slightly less certain.

For now, Verbruggen remains the only player I'd regard as 100% nailed.

We'll know whether it is Tromsø or Cluj on 13 August. The result of the first leg on 20 August should then provide another useful update to the probabilities. Beyond that, there still aren't many firmer conclusions to draw at this point.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@FFScout Hurzeler loves Gross and would give him 90 mins every game ideally.

Would expect him to start against Villa, but with an away leg now confirmed for Conference Lge first leg on 20th Aug (three days before Villa game), only Verbruggen is likely 100% nailed for 90+ mins.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@lateriser12 Think this is right. 👍

I'd add though that the Conference League away first leg on 20th is now a key new detail.

Doesn't suddenly mean heavy rotation, but it does slightly reduce probability of 90+ minutes across GW1–2 for all except Verbruggen.

Worse than a home 1st leg.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@lateriser12 Yes. 100% agree.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

Today’s Conference League draw doesn’t change a huge amount, but it does nudge the probabilities slightly.

Brighton will face Tromsø or CFR Cluj, with the first leg away on 20 August.

That makes it a little more likely that Hürzeler goes stronger in Europe than he might have done had the first leg been at the Amex, particularly given the travel involved.

Villa in GW1 is only three days later, with the return home leg then two days before Chelsea in GW2.

It doesn’t suddenly mean wholesale rotation. But if you're looking for Brighton players to get 90+ minutes in both GW1 and GW2, today's draw makes that slightly less certain. For me, at this point, Verbruggen remains the only player I'd currently describe as 100% nailed across both game weeks.

We'll know whether it's Tromsø or Cluj on 13 August. The result of that first leg on 20 August will then provide another important piece of information.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

Any FPL manager looking at Brighton assets needs to consider that the season starts with four games in 10 days.

20 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off, first leg
23 Aug – Aston Villa (H)
27 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off, second leg
30 Aug – Chelsea (A)

That's particularly relevant for anyone currently considering BB1 or BB2.

Rotation, minutes and squad management could all be significant factors over the opening spell.

I've heard on reasonably good authority that Brighton would like to use the Conference League as an opportunity to give the wider squad more experience and playing time. However, the intention is also to field a very strong side in the qualifying ties.

We'll be in a much better position to assess Brighton's FPL assets once we know the qualifying opponent, the order of the ties, and the result of the first leg. A convincing first-leg lead, for example, might have a significant bearing on rotation and minutes.

For now, though, there's an argument that the only player who's 100% nailed for 90+ minutes in GW1 & GW2 is Bart Verbruggen.

Key information still to come:

• 3 Aug – UEFA Conference League play-off draw (opponents confirmed).
• 8 Aug – Friendly vs Roma.
• 15 Aug – Friendly vs Bologna.
• 20 Aug – First leg of the Conference League play-off.

If you're considering Brighton assets, it makes sense to wait until after the first European tie before making a final call.

#FPL

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@FPLAcheampong The opponent may have a bearing.

Will post update once draw made tomorrow.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@FPLAcheampong Agreed.
They need to get the balance right.
Will almost certainly go big for the 1st leg.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@Pras_fpl @feflmakar @AlexVolloFPL I think FPL Makar is right, when you look at how Hurzeler typically operates with new players of a certain type.

But absolutely 100% agree with you that time is on our side with this for FPL info purposes.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@ZopharFPL @Pras_fpl @AlexVolloFPL I'll post in next few days on Vuskovic.
Very excited about this player as BHA fan, but at this point he's far from nailed.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@Pras_fpl @AlexVolloFPL 👍

Hurzeler loves Gross and would give him 90 mins every game ideally.

Would expect him to start against Villa (especially if no away travel for 1st leg).

If BHA lose 1st leg, or tie is still very much in the balance, then he could come off early potentially against Villa.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@lateriser12 👍

Exactly what De Zerbi wants from his goalkeeper.

This is why for a period of time he preferred Jason Steele over Verbruggen at Brighton.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@FPL_Strange IMO Hurzeler loves Gross and would give him 90 mins every game ideally.

Would expect him to start against Villa (especially if no away travel for 1st leg).

If BHA lose 1st leg, or tie is still very much in the balance, then he could come off early potentially against Villa.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@GullsSuperFan Well done! 💪

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@KieranMaguire Fascinating deal all round.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

The reported transaction values West Ham’s equity at about £600 million, equal to approximately 2.6 times the club’s latest audited revenue. However, that revenue was earned as a Premier League club, while the agreed price will almost certainly reflect a forward-looking assessment of Championship income, parachute payments, the likelihood and timing of promotion, the club’s London location and brand, and its debt position.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@AndrewJames1901 Great to see.

Could be big too for those playing FPL!

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@FPLGOAT7 Makes sense. 👍
Most relevant for early bench boosters.

[Dave | Albion & FPL @DaveInSW16]

@WillHugall All good points 👍.

Recently shared similar views on this with some additional comments on the exceptional value of Welbeck (financial and non-financial) over six seasons.