Instinctive

Jan Paul van Hecke missed out vs. Palace with a “small” hamstring issue as a “precautionary” decision. Hürzeler hopes he’ll be back for Villa.

[The Argus]

Alternatively, we could see:

Brighton vs. Palace | Predicted Lineup:

Scouting Jérémy Jacquet A Lesson in Ground Defending

SCOUTING JEREMY JACQUET

— Skillset and profiling
— Angling runs and getting goal-side
— The art of ground defending 🎨
— Passing range and floaty (weak) lobs

OUT NOW: instinctive.substack.com/p/scouting-j... 👈

Brighton 2025/26 — Squad Depth (post January transfer window) with players [only] in their preferred positions:

Brighton 2025/26 — Squad Depth (post January transfer window):

Scouting João Pedro Analysing a Positionless Footballer

SCOUTING João Pedro

In June last year, I wrote thousands of words profiling JP as a CF, covering historical influences, shooting, box movement, link-up play, dribbling, movement, channel running, and even character analysis/profiling.

It’s aged well: instinctive.substack.com/p/scouting-j... 👈

Brighton vs. Everton | Predicted Lineup:

Scouting Josh Acheampong The Next Big Thing?

SCOUTING JOSH ACHEAMPONG

— Profiling: a generational CB?
— Defending wide areas as a fullback
— Retentive headers?
— Passing and ball carrying

OUT NOW: instinctive.substack.com/p/scouting-j... 👈

Fulham vs. Brighton | Predicted Lineup:

Brighton vs. Bournemouth | Predicted Lineup:

Ferdi Kadioğlu: All Actions FA Cup Third Round - 11th January, 2026

FERDI KADIOĞLU - ALL ACTIONS

I rewatched Brighton’s FA Cup tie vs Manchester United and analysed the good and the bad of Ferdi Kadioğlu:

— Proactive vs. reactive defending
— Set-pieces and two-footedness
— Systemic implications
— Attacking play

OUT NOW: instinctive.substack.com/p/ferdi-kadi... 👈

Ferdi Kadioğlu: All Actions FA Cup Third Round - 11th January, 2026

FERDI KADIOĞLU - ALL ACTIONS

I rewatched Brighton’s FA Cup tie vs Manchester United and analysed the good and the bad of Ferdi Kadioğlu:

— Proactive vs. reactive defending
— Set-pieces and two-footedness
— Systemic implications
— Attacking play

OUT NOW: instinctive.substack.com/p/ferdi-kadi... 👈

Scouting Antoine Semenyo Momentum = Mass (Antoine) * Velocity (Semenyo)

SCOUTING ANTOINE SEMENYO

In this framework led-analysis, I look at what makes Semenyo so threatening:

— Profiling and optimal use
— Shooting and finishing zones + ambipedality
— Deceleration and shooting in stride
— Managing contact; physicality

OUT NOW: instinctive.substack.com/p/scouting-a... 👈

Manchester United vs. Brighton | Starting XI:

bring on Milner + Groß near the 70th minute.

Gómez could also start as the RW, but Gruda seemingly has preference here. I’d be surprised to see Kostoulas start a fixture of this intensity

Firstly, I think there’s a very decent chance Brighton line up in a back three here, especially if Mitoma’s not 100%.

Assuming he is, though, Milner *could* start, but given Hürzeler’s view on connections, I feel like he may go with a similar midfield to the one he used vs. Burnley and…

Manchester City vs Brighton | Predicted Lineup:

Hürzeler on Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh:

“Yeah Mats Wieffer won’t be available, he still has an issue with his toe. (And) regards Minteh, we need to have a look. So it’s still not perfect, but there’s a minor chance he will be available tomorrow.”

I don’t think you can overstate van Hecke’s ZOI.

Brighton can build up in a 2-1, knowing that if they ever get pressured, they can simply play through the middle (where they’ve baited the opposition into) or switch play into a winger with an excellent first touch (Mitoma).

Brighton vs. Burnley | Starting XIs:

Brighton vs. Burnley | Predicted Lineup:

I like Rosenior and think he’s a good coach. I don’t expect much to come out of a stint at Chelsea (relative to the expectations of a Chelsea manager), given the [work] constraints he’ll undoubtedly face, but I’ll be more than happy to have him at Brighton someday.

Thinking Rosenior can’t command respect because of one video, yet believing Maresca could because of success with City’s U21 side, even whilst he publicly sold his players down the river, is… interesting.

via The Argus: Was a dead leg. Will train today. "Then we will see if he can start or not."

He has an issue with his toe

Yankuba Minteh’s will train today. Mats Wieffer won’t be available.

[The Argus]

Fabian Hürzeler was asked about Minteh’s injury: “We need to have a scan and then we will see.”

West Ham vs. Brighton | Predicted Lineup: