England defender Joe Gomez, 28, remains a target for Brighton, Crystal Palace and AC Milan. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on whether Fabian Hurzeler has won fans over given a surge in recent form off the back of a difficult spell early in 2026.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: I think he has a bright future. However, his naivety and lack of Premier League experience has been exposed at times this season. That said, when it comes to giving a manager time to develop, you couldn't pick a better club than Brighton. Tony Bloom doesn't panic and always sees the bigger picture.
Colin: Criticism of our manager at any point since his arrival has been laughable. He's been consistently excellent and is improving all the time. It was only a minority who dissented during our bad run and anyone with any sense could see that the performances were better than the results. I hope he stays for 10 years.
Tony: I have mostly been a 'Hurzeler in' fan but at times this season we seem to have gone backwards and at times the subs and tactics have been baffling. Having said that we now seem to be playing with more composure and a more attacking style. All is good for the future.
Westy: Has Hurzeler won me over? Maybe. In my case, the frustration and annoyance came from him making life hard for himself. I knew we could get results and be better, and now we are. The constant tinkering and playing players out of position was infuriating. The two times this season we've had a settled team are the the spells we've got results. He must learn from this.
Sam: I'm not sure it was ever a results issue. The frustration from the majority of fans came from a lack of connection with the manager. If those results had happened and Hurzeler had built a connection, the response wouldn't have been as extreme. Has he won over the fans? There is still work for him to do, but recent appearances from him at full time, rather than disappearing down the tunnel, certainly go a long way to building a connection that had been missing.
Chris: He's presided over two big dips in form. One each season. There's got to be big question marks over his confidence and how he passes that into our young players.
Brighton were on a six-game winless run in the Premier League from 7January until they overcame Brentford on 21 February.
At the time, the likes of Clinton Morrison spoke of "huge pressure" on Fabian Hurzeler given boos greeted some performances. Journalist Luke Edwards told the BBC things were "drifting" for the club.
In all, Hurzeler's side had only won one league game in 13 from 3 December to 14 February. The Seagulls have won five of their last six however.
So we want to know, has he won fans over? How do you feel about his position and the direction of things now?
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton defender Olivier Boscagli, speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about what the Seagulls need to do in the closing weeks of the season if they are to qualify for Europe:
"Just keep going and doing what we've been doing in the past six or seven games. We have shown we are a strong team and it's difficult to win against us.
"You see how important every point is, the table is really close. Everybody can lose now so it's quite exciting, but you have to keep focused and make sure you are working in the right way.
"[The win at Burnley] was a great game but we still have to improve some things, because we know the European places will be really tight.
"If we want to be part of it, we have to put every ingredient on the pitch and keep going like this."
On the Seagulls coming up against former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, now in charge of Tottenham, on Saturday:
"It's a nice game for him because he knows the club really well and he has a really good image at this club. I can see he did a lot of good things here, but now he is at another club.
"Of course he will be happy to see some faces and some of the players will be happy to see him, but at the first whistle there will be no friends on the pitch.
"The only thing we want is to win the game and it doesn't matter with who or against who."
Listen to a full interview with Boscagli in the latest Albion Unlimited podcast on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesTwo Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.
Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.
It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.
Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?
On the latest episode of Albion Unlimited from BBC Radio Sussex, defender Olivier Boscagli reflects on Brighton's win against Burnley and there is a look ahead to Saturday's game at Tottenham - now managed by former Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
Joe Sayers
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesA total of 100 Premier League appearances for Jan Paul van Hecke at the Albion. It's a milestone that feels both remarkable and, somehow, inevitable.
Since his introduction in 2022, van Hecke's rise has been a story of patience, development and quiet belief. There were early moments where his enthusiasm spilled over into rash decisions, but even then, there was a sense he had the raw attributes to reach the very top. What perhaps few anticipated was just how complete a defender he would become.
Now he is fast establishing himself as one of the standout Dutch defenders in the Premier League. For many Albion fans, the turning point will always be that night against Manchester City, a 1-1 draw that sealed European qualification and a place in the club's history.
Up against Erling Haaland, one of the most feared forwards in world football, van Hecke delivered a performance of composure and authority. He didn't just compete, he controlled. It was the night he truly announced himself.
What has followed is consistency, leadership and a deep connection with the badge. JP van Hecke plays with such visible pride and determination that resonates with supporters, matched by a professionalism that sets the standard.
And yet, with that growth comes an uneasy thought. Players of this quality rarely go unnoticed. If the time comes when he moves on, there is little doubt he would thrive at any club in world football.
For now, though, Albion fans can celebrate a player who has not only reached 100 appearances, but has come to embody everything they value.
Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external
Brighton's Bart Verbruggen might leave the Seagulls this summer with the Netherlands goalkeeper, 23, considering various options over his future. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Swansea have placed a £15m price tag on Slovenia striker Zan Vipotnik, 24, who leads the Championship goalscoring charts and has attracted interest from Brighton. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Burnley fans
Shaun: Typical Burnley! Played okay but with very little quality in the final third. Concede first, then have a good spell but don't kick on! The substitutions made were baffling again. Championship here we come!
Martin: Scott Parker is in cloud cuckooland if he thinks it was an even game. Forget stats - Brighton should have been out of sight by half time. I lost count of the number of times we lost possession. We had no quality without Hannibal Mejbri. This was one of the worst performances of the season, and that's saying something.
Paul: Woeful. The score flattered us. Brighton should have had another two in first half. We are toothless and low on confidence. Parker seems to have coached out any determination from the squad.
Michael: That's the least I've cared about a Burnley game since the Cotterill era. It's not necessarily that we're really bad, it's just bland, nothingness devoid of any excitement or emotion.
Brighton fans
David: A scruffy game but only to be expected against a side almost down, so we did not miss Lewis Dunks stability. We have the ability to take points from all of our remaining fixtures, so the dream of Europe is still alive.
Olly: A good win but made hard work of it. It is still a worry the number of chances that are missed. At least they have momentum for the final games and, if they keep it up, Europe next year is a real possibility.
Andrew: So good to see Brighton getting results against the lower teams too. The recent consistency must silence Fabian Hurzeler's critics.
Steve: Our quest for European football continues. Though the performance wasn't the best, the result is all that matters. But for a couple of very tight offside decisions this result may have been so different!
Coventry City want to make the loan move of Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, 24, a permanent one in the summer but face competition from Leeds United. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton's 2-0 triumph over Burnley in January was their only win in 13 league matches between 30 November and 21 February, and offered little more than a brief relief amid a worrying run of form.
But Saturday's 2-0 win against the same opponents carried far greater weight and purpose as it kept the Seagulls firmly in contention for a place in Europe next season.
They have now won five of their last six matches and, more importantly, did not let their momentum drop after three weeks without a game in the international break, following a 2-1 win against reigning champions Liverpool.
With the congested nature of the table and confirmation of the Premier League having at least five teams in the Champions League next season, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler will fancy his chances of guiding the club to only their second continental campaign.
He was forced to watch this game from the stands as he began a two-match touchline ban for accumulating six yellow cards this term.
But his side still delivered a performance that reflected the German manager's influence - playing with discipline, pressing high up the pitch and making the possession count.
Dutch defender Mats Wieffer, who only returned from a toe injury at the end of February, proved to be an unlikely hero, scoring his first league goals since a 1-1 draw at West Ham back on 21 December 2024.
Staying within reach of the top six has been quite an emphatic turnaround for Hurzeler and Brighton, who have found form at the right time.
You can listen to Fabian Hurzeler and Mats Wieffer on BBC Sounds
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Burnley's performance
What did you make of Brighton's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Image source, BBC SportBurnley boss Scott Parkers makes four changes from a 3-1 defeat by Burnley before the international break.
Lesley Ugochukwu, Marcus Edwards, Hjalmar Ekdal and Florentino Luis all start ahead of Hannibal Mejbri, Kyle Walker, Lyle Foster and suspended Josh Laurent.
Burnley XI: Dubravka, Hartman, Esteve, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Anthony, Humphreys, Florentino, Ekdal, Flemming, Ward-Prowse
Subs: Weiss, Walker, Worrall, Larsen, Foster, Tchaouna, Pires, Broja, Tresor
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, who will watch this game from the stands, has made two changes from the 2-1 win against Liverpool on 21 March.
Lewis Dunk is suspended, so Olivier Boscagli takes his place in the defence while Yasin Ayari comes in for James Milner.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Welbeck, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Ayari, Wieffer, Gross
Subs: Steele, Julio, March, Rutter, Baleba, Kostoulas, Mitoma, De Cuyper, Veltman
Image source, BBC Sport
Brighton are another team who had hit a bit of form when the season paused.
After going through a sticky patch under Fabian Hurzeler, they have won four of their past five games - and I can see them winning this one too.
Burnley are always competitive, and you can see them digging in again at home, but that approach has not translated into many positive results.
As I've said for a while now, they are going down. It is more about what happens next season and whether they stick with manager Scott Parker to try to get them back up. Their fans don't appear to be convinced by him.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Arsenal v Bournemouth (12:30)
Brentford v Everton (15:00) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Burnley v Brighton (15:00) - Listen on Sports Extra 2
Liverpool v Fulham (17:30) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times BST
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Fulham".
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Brighton can give their European chances a major boost on Saturday, as they face Burnley at Turf Moor (15:00 BST) in the Premier League.
The Seagulls have bounced back well in recent weeks after a tough start to the calendar year. Any slender concerns around relegation have been banished by a run of four wins in five games, including an impressive 2-1 win against Liverpool last time out. They go into the weekend in 10th, just three points off the top seven.
As for Burnley, they are 10 points from safety with seven matches to play. It would take a remarkable turnaround in form for Scott Parker's side to pull themselves back into contention to stay up.
Burnley battling the inevitable
After a run of three draws and a win in all competitions in January, there was a small sense of Burnley building momentum. But their subsequent failure to kick on means relegation is almost certain at this stage.
Parker has been unable to find a formula that works at either end of the pitch this season. Up top, they have occasionally clicked into gear - albeit they have had the fewest shots (excluding blocked efforts) in the Premier League this season - but at the back they've consistently leaked goals.
Their total of 61 goals conceded is the highest of any team going into the weekend fixtures and in terms of style, Brighton do not appear to be an ideal match up.
The Seagulls rank first for high turnovers and only Tottenham Hotspur have faced more high turnovers than Burnley this season.
Still, in the past this fixture has been tight. Seven of the 13 Premier League meetings between Burnley and Brighton have been drawn, with both sides winning three. But at this stage, it feels like only wins will do for the Clarets.
Brighton bounce back
Losses to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in February felt like they could have been the beginning of the end for Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton, with supporters unhappy and the team toiling. But they have recovered superbly.
A 2-0 win at Brentford sparked a major turnaround in fortunes, and such is the congested nature of the table that the Seagulls are suddenly well in the mix for a European place.
The team have definitely tightened up in that time and have relied on the scoring exploits of Danny Welbeck to give them an edge. His brace against Liverpool took him to 12 goals for the season, one behind Glenn Murray's Premier League record for Brighton of 13.
Welbeck is also enjoying one of the most prolific seasons for a player of his age in Premier League history.
Brighton have also relied on a veteran in midfield. James Milner started his first game of the calendar year in the narrow loss to Villa and has been in the XI for all four of the wins across the past five games; he missed the only defeat in that run, against Arsenal.
While there has naturally been a lot of focus on Milner recently breaking the Premier League appearance record, he can still have an impact on games too and can still mix it physically as a 40-year-old.
In the first three of those starts he covered 11.63 km against Brentford, 11.4 km against Nottingham Forest and 11.94 km against Sunderland, the fourth, third and second highest in each fixture respectively.
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 BST).
You can listen to his comments by pressing play above or here on BBC Sounds
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Fabian Hurzeler and Lewis Dunk will serve out suspensions over the next few games, but there are "a lot of other leaders who can solve that gap on and off the pitch". He explained: "My assistant team have stepped in before and done an incredible job. We also have really good options to replace Lewis [Dunk]. I'm quite confident the whole team is strong enough to handle this well."
In terms of injury news, there is nothing to report. Jack Hinshelwood is fit, despite pulling out of the recent England Under-21 camp.
Danny Welbeck is feeling "very relaxed, very focused and very sharp" following the three-week break. The 35-year-old "seems to be in a very good place" heading into the home straight of the season.
Adam Webster is "doing really well" in his recovery from a serious ACL knee injury picked up during a pre-season training camp back in July 2025. He is currently in rehabilitation alongside team-mate Stefanos Tzimas.
He explained: "When there's a long road ahead, there are certain moments when you can feel lonely or depressed, so we always try to have people around them to create a good environment. I'm a big believer that when you have a positive mind, rehabilitation goes much quicker and recovery goes much better."
The Seagulls used the international break to "reflect, analyse and switch off a little bit" before starting to prepare for the final run-in.
On whether his side need to treat these last seven games as cup finals, he said: "We need to have that attitude. We have to play each game like it is the final game of the season now."
He revealed that Brighton women's manager Dario Vidosic has been helping out with the men's training sessions over the past few days: "It felt like he was already part of us because he was so helpful, he was sharing his opinions, and he joined us on the pitch and in our meetings."
On shutting down the rumours linking him to Bayer Leverkusen, he said: "It would take a lot to get me away from this place. I feel this is a long-term project which can be very successful." Hurzeler believes the club's foundation is "really strong and really good" and he is keen to "build something" with the Seagulls.
He added: "I didn't get too emotionally involved with the criticism from the fans, I was open to it. I shared my emotions with them, they shared their emotions with me - and that has created a bond."
Jan Paul van Hecke, who could make his 100th Premier League appearance on Saturday, is "definitely seen as a future club captain". Hurzeler believes this season the centre-back has "improved his consistency, his work out of possession, his commitment to get forward, how he defends athletic players, and how he keeps to the defensive shape".
Listen to live commentary of Burnley v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 from 14:55 BST on Saturday afternoon.
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Got a question about Brighton? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.
Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.
So how are you feeling as a Brighton fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?
The league form reads: LWWLWW
The next three league fixtures are: Burnley (a), Tottenham (a) and Chelsea (h)
