Brighton vs Brentford Odds: Neal Maupay to be bang in the action on Boxing day

Boxing Day evening sees Brighton welcome Brentford to the Amex Stadium, live on Sky Sports(8pm ko). We've asked our expert @TipsterJ to look over the fixture and he's picked out three juicy tips for us including a 11/1 bet builder.

These two sides met at the start of the season in a game where Brighton came out on top with a 1-0 win. Since then Brighton have slipped down the table, and are winless in their last 11 league games (8D, 3L).

Brentford, on the other hand, compete in their first league match since the 10th of December. The Bees previous two fixtures  have been postponed due to COVID, which means they welcome back some key players ahead of this fixture. Thomas Franks' men have picked up two wins from their last four games, putting them level on points with Brighton as we approach the halfway mark for the season.

Neal Maupay should return to the starting 11 here and has scored some important late goals in his last 2 appearances.

He averages 2.4 shots per 90 minutes, and his managed 11 shots across his last 3 starts. This is a game Brighton should be looking to win to stop their winless streak, and with this bet odds on in most places I am happy to take the 6/5 for our first selection.

I don’t think there is much to separate these two sides, so for my second selection I am backing it ending honours even.

Brighton have drawn half of their 16 league games so far this campaign, and have drawn 9 of their last 12 in all competitions, as they continue to struggle for goals. However, this does show they are tough to beat and with two of Brentford’s last three away games ending all square I think this is the most likely outcome once again Saturday evening.

Maupay is Brightons top Scorer in the league this season with 6 goals, and here they oppose a Brentford defence averaging 1.5 goals conceded per away game.

The French striker has never been the most disciplined of players and has already been cautioned on four occasions this season. Two of these bookings have come in games when he also scored essentially meaning this 11/1 shot has landed in 2/14 games for Maupay this campaign.

I would also like to add he was lucky to escape a booking after his late equaliser vs Southampton in his last league outing, for his eager celebration right in front the Saints fans – something I can definitely get behind!

With him never looking far away from a goal or a card, I am happy to take this 11/1 punt for our longshot.

As always please bet within your limits and gamble responsibly.