Bookmakers expect another tough season for Brighton despite reinforcements

The Brighton squad may be enjoying a brief summer break but while players are sunning themselves and benefiting from a bit of well-deserved rest and relaxation following a gruelling season there’s no rest for the backroom staff.

Manager Chris Hughton led The Seagulls to Premier League safety during the 2017/18 campaign with a 9-13-16 record leaving the club 15th in the table, ahead of Huddersfield and Southampton with seven more points on the board than Swansea and the relegation zone.

Improving on that is the next stage in Hughton’s grand plan at the Falmer Stadium and as well as safeguarding their place in the top division, he’ll want to improve and push towards the safety of midtable. A summer recruitment drive is expected to help the former Spurs defender achieve that but he has started by tying down one of the better players already on the books – Pascal Gross.

Source: Sky Sports News via Twitter

The 26-year-old German midfielder signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2022 and after playing all 38 games last season, the Mannheim-born star told fans securing his future was a very special day in his career. He was joined by Nigerian defender Leon Balogun who arrived from Mainz and Deportivo striker Florin Andone who penned a five-year deal. More business is expected before the transfer window slams shut and the fixtures get underway.

Despite strengthening, bookmakers don’t seem too hot on The Seagulls’ chances this season and Betfair football tips have them to struggle again in the coming campaign. Brighton supporters will find a staggering 1000/1 available on a league win. That’s understandable but they are fourth-favourite in the relegation book. With no more than 9/4 currently available there are only three sides with shorter odds in the fight to avoid the drop – Cardiff, Huddersfield and Fulham.

There are lots of ways to enjoy a season bet on Brighton if you are confident they won’t do a Leicester and shock English football by taking Manchester City’s crown but also fancy them to avoid the bottom three. 5/1 can be found in the betting ring for a top-half finish and that’ll be settled as a winner regardless of their finishing position, as long as it’s between 1st and 10th. 11th to 20th is a lot more likely according to those who hold the purse strings.