Brighton & Hove Albion will continue their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a friendly against Portuguese outfit Estoril Praia on Saturday evening.
The Seagulls started their pre-season with a goalless draw against Union Saint-Gilloise on July 9, while this match will represent Estoril's first friendly of the summer, as they build towards their league opener.
Match preview
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Estoril finished ninth in Primeira Liga upon their return to the top flight last season, and they will again be looking to consolidate at the top level of Portuguese football once again in 2022-23.
Nelson Verissimo's side will also take on English side Fulham as part of their preparations for the new campaign, which begins at home to Famalicao on August 6.
Estoril have been busy this summer in terms of incomings, with Rodrigo Martins, Tiago Araujo and Pedro Alvaro among those to make the move to the Portuguese outfit since the end of last season.
There have also been a number of departures, with Rui Fonte among those to leave on free transfers, so there will be a fresh look to the squad during the 2022-23 campaign.
Canarinhos have not been in action since finishing their 2021-22 league season with a 2-0 loss at Porto in the middle of May, but they have been back in pre-season training over the last couple of weeks.
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Brighton, meanwhile, started their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a goalless draw against Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday.
The Seagulls will now face Estoril, Reading, Brentford and Espanyol in their final four friendlies of the summer before opening their Premier League season away to Manchester United on August 7.
Graham Potter's side impressed in England's top flight last term, finishing in ninth position, and they will believe that another top-half finish is achievable during the 2022-23 campaign.
Brighton have been relatively quiet thus far this summer in terms of transfers, but exciting youngster Julio Enciso has made the move to the club and is likely to be given chances over pre-season with a view to being part of the first-team squad next term.
There has been a major outgoing at the club this summer, meanwhile, with key midfielder Yves Bissouma joining Tottenham Hotspur in a £27m deal, and it remains to be seen whether the club bring in a replacement for the 25-year-old before the end of the market.
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Team News
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Estoril are likely to have a number of new faces on display in this match, with Rui Fonte potentially leading the line, while fellow arrivals Carles Soria and Joao Gamboa could also start.
Head coach Verissimo will want to make full use of his squad during the clash with Brighton, so it is possible that two different XIs will be selected for each half of the pre-season friendly.
As for Brighton, head coach Potter named two different XIs for their pre-season opener against Union Saint-Gilloise and that is again expected to be the case in this contest.
Deniz Undav made his debut for the club, with the 25-year-old back at the club following a loan spell, while Jan Paul van Hecke featured, having returned from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers.
Enciso could start alongside Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck in the final third of the field here, while Solly March, Adam Lallana and Pascal Gross should all feature in midfield.
There is also expected to be another appearance for Marc Cucurella despite the Spaniard being strongly linked with a move to Manchester City.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Soris, Alvaro, Vital, Joaozinho; Gamboa, Rosier, Franco; Gomes, Fonte, Martins
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Lamptey, Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella; March, Lallana, Gross; Welbeck, Maupay, Enciso
We say: Estoril Praia 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Estoril will be competitive opposition for Brighton, and we are expecting it to be a tight match on Saturday, especially as both teams are likely to use in excess of 20 players each. The result is not too important here, with both managers instead prioritising the fitness of their players, but we are backing a low-scoring draw.
Matt Law
