Leeds United v Brighton Prediction: 23/10 for spoils to be shared

Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League remains a realistic goal for Brighton as they prepare to head to Elland Road to take on Leeds United in their penultimate match of the Premier League season.

The in-form Seagulls have stormed into contention to qualify for Europe's premier club competition after winning five of their last seven games, although they still need favours from elsewhere if they are to achieve that goal.

Finishing fifth, which would be enough to secure UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in their history, is perhaps beyond Brighton, but sixth spot could still see them squeeze into that competition, providing Aston Villa finish fifth and beat Freiburg in Wednesday's Europa League final.

Brighton will move above Bournemouth into sixth with a victory on Sunday, but they will face a tough test against a hard-to-beat Leeds team that may have already achieved their goal of surviving in the Premier League, but their spirited showing against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night showed they have certainly not downed tools.

Leeds United v Brighton Tips Summary

Best Bet - Draw @ 23/10
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score @ 1/1
Bet Builder - Jack Hinshelwood to score at any time, Lewis Dunk to be booked & Most cards: Brighton @ 22/1

Leeds United v Brighton Prediction

Best Bet: Draw @ 23/10

The incentive is certainly there for Brighton to go all out for the victory on Sunday and the omens are also good, as they are unbeaten in their seven previous Premier League meetings with Leeds, winning November's reverse clash at The Amex 3-0.

However, the Whites are a much-improved outfit compared to the one that pitched up on the south coast over the autumn, as they have only lost four of their last 23 top-flight games and have taken seven points from the last nine available at Elland Road.

Brighton's away record also remains inconspicuous, as they have won just five of their 18 road matches this season and most recently went down 3-1 at an out-of-sorts Newcastle United.

Fabian Hurzeler's side also have to be careful, as if they are too gung-ho in attempting to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, they may risk slipping out of the European places altogether, with the likes of Everton, Chelsea and most notably Brentford on their coattails. 

A point could still end up being a good result for the Seagulls, and with the last two meetings between these sides in West Yorkshire finishing all-square, siding with the draw could be where the value lies.

Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score @ 1/1

It finished 2-2 when these sides last locked horns at Elland Road in March 2023 and a similarly entertaining game could be on the cards.

Leeds have scored six goals across their last two home fixtures against Burnley and Wolves, while out of the sides that started the weekend in the bottom half, only Newcastle (50) have found the back of the net more often than Daniel Farke's side, who have struck 48 across their 37 games.

Each of Brighton's last four matches have featured a minimum of three goals and only league leaders Arsenal have stopped the Seagulls scoring across their last 10 fixtures.

Keeping clean sheets has not been so easy for Brighton, particularly on their travels, as they have shipped three at Newcastle and two at Tottenham in their last two road fixtures.

With the pressure off Leeds and Brighton in need of a positive result in their European push, the goals could well flow at Elland Road.

Leeds United v Brighton Bet Builder Tip

• Jack Hinshelwood to score at any time

• Lewis Dunk to be booked

• Most cards: Brighton

  Pays 22/1

Brighton's Mr Versatile, Jack Hinshelwood, has been thriving in a more advanced attacking-midfield role over recent weeks and he is a prime contender to score for a fourth successive match.

The 21-year-old found the back of the net against Chelsea, Newcastle and Wolves and his hot streak can continue on Sunday.

Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk was back in the starting line-up for the first time since March in last weekend's win over Wolves and he marked the occasion with a goal.

Dunk had dropped out of the team after serving a two-match ban for picking up a team-high 10 yellow cards for the season and he is a prime candidate to have his name taken by referee Michael Oliver this weekend.

If Dunk is booked, then that will increase the likelihood of Brighton receiving the most cards in the match.

Hurzeler's team may be known for playing good football, but they have also shown a liking for the dark arts this season, with only Wolves giving away more fouls and Tottenham picking up more yellow cards.

The 86 yellows Brighton have received this season is 28 more than Leeds, and with the Seagulls' need for the points greater than their hosts, they may be more likely to bite into the challenges.

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Key Match Stats

• Leeds have only lost four of their last 23 Premier League fixtures

• Brighton are unbeaten in their seven previous Premier League meetings with Leeds

• Leeds' last victory over Brighton was a 2-0 Championship success in March 2017

• Brighton have won 10 of their last 14 head-to-heads with Leeds across all competitions

• Only Bournemouth (16) have drawn more top-flight matches than Leeds (14) this season

• Brighton have won only five of their 18 away matches in the league this season

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.