Brighton’s hope of European football lasted until the final day last season. Sadly, and despite taking apart Tottenham 4-1 away from home, the stars didn’t align. The Seagulls narrowly missed out on qualifying for continental competition by finishing eighth in the table.
Ultimately, it was a frustrating end for a side that had shown real progress and attacking flair under manager Fabian Hurzeler.
As the foundation for the new season is being built, there’s just one question: can Brighton go one step further? Can they repeat their success in 2023 and qualify for Europe once again? This guide analyses what’s needed for European nights to be brought back to the Amex Stadium.
A Look at the Current Odds
The start of the Premier League might be a month away. Nevertheless, predictions are already being made for the season. That includes odds for everything from potential champions to which three teams are likely to drop.
Using odds from Betway, here’s how Brighton currently fares when ranking their chances of finishing in the top six:
- Liverpool: 1/12
- Manchester City: 1/10
- Arsenal: 1/9
- Chelsea: 4/9
- Newcastle: 8/15
- Manchester Utd: 4/6
- Tottenham: 6/5
- Aston Villa: 5/4
- Brighton: 7/1
- Nottingham Forest: 7/1
That means Brighton are seen as outsiders in terms of landing a Champions League or Europa League spot via the league. However, a place in the UEFA Conference League – the third-tier European competition – can potentially be available for teams with an eighth-placed league finish. Winning a domestic competition also opens the door to Europe.
However, the odds do make one thing clear: the amount of competition. The Premier League has arguably never had more depth. Brighton is a top team, yes, but there are plenty of others around.
The Need for Squad Depth and Signings
To truly compete for those coveted European spots, Brighton must add to the squad from last season. The good news: they’ve already been active in the market.
The highly rated 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas was signed for a shade under £30 million, with the young striker giving the Seagulls extra attacking options. This was needed, of course, after the departure of Brazilian international João Pedro.
The club has also added strength to their left side. Defender Maxim De Cuyper, the Belgian international with Champions League experience, is an exciting addition. The club also had an agreement in place to sign left winger Tom Watson before his heroics in helping send his boyhood club, Sunderland, into the Premier League.
Centre back Diego Coppola, another young talent brought in over the summer, also showed his ability at the recent European Under-21 Championship. However, Brighton might need to sign one or two experienced players with true quality to elevate them to another level.
A Cup Run to Glory?
As mentioned already, there’s more than one path to Europe. Yes, finishing in the top seven or eight is the clearest route. However, success in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup can also secure continental qualification.
Plus, it’s not like these cups are only won by the biggest teams. Just a couple of months ago, Crystal Palace caused a major upset, beating Man City 1-0 to win the FA Cup – their first major trophy after almost 120 years as a football club. Why can’t Brighton go on and do the same during this upcoming season?
With many rivals likely to rotate heavily in the early rounds, Brighton could go on serious runs if they take the cups seriously. Prioritising silverware could be the gamble that pays off in more ways than one. Ultimately, if the club can strike a balance between league consistency and a focused cup run, that European dream could become a very real reality.
It’s true: Brighton are outsiders in the race for Europe. Nevertheless, the club has shown it can compete with the Premier League’s best. With further smart recruitment and tactical maturity, the Seagulls have every chance of turning last season’s near miss into a successful European return.
