The Championship playoffs are wonderful things for the neutral fan, always providing a dramatic end to a long and arduous league season. They're rather less pleasant for the teams involved, meaning we could see a cagey affair as they get underway at The Amex in Brighton on Thursday. Óscar García's Seagulls host Derby County in the first leg, having only just sneaked into the top six on a dramatic final matchday.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Derby County: Preview, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Championship playoffs commence in Brighton on Thursday, as the Seagulls welcome Derby County to town.
Mike Hewitt
Form often goes out of the window in games of this magnitude, and, for Brighton, it’s just as well. That’s because Steve McClaren’s Derby have been tremendous this season, finishing with a 14-point buffer inside the top six, and winning eight of their last 11. They also triumphed over the Seagulls in both of their meetings in the regular season; picking up a 2-1 win on their their last venture down to the Amex last August.
For this match, Brighton will be without Andrew Crofts, Dale Stephens and Bruno with injuries, while Derby’s long-term injured duo of Shaun Barker and Paul Coutts will once again miss out.
Brighton & Hove Albion injuries and suspensions
Out: Andrew Crofts (knee), Dale Stephens (ankle), Bruno (groin). In doubt: None.
Derby County injuries and suspensions
Out: Shaun Barker (knee), Paul Coutts (knee). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups:
Brighton & Hove Albion: Tomasz Kuszczak; Stephen Ward, Matthew Upson, Gordon Greer, Íñigo Calderón; Andrea Orlandi, Keith Andrews, Jake Forster-Caskey; Will Buckley, Leonardo Ulloa, Jesse Lingard.
Derby County: Lee Grant; Craig Forsyth, Jake Buxton, Richard Keogh, Andre Wisdom; Craig Bryson, George Thorne, Jeff Hendrick; Johnny Russell, Chris Martin, Patrick Bamford.
Match Date/Time: Thursday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: The Amex, Brighton, England
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
Listings via LiveSoccerTV.
