OPPOSITION VIEW: BHA

Sunderland host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, looking to get back to winning ways after being dumped out of the FA Cup. Brighton are just three points behind us, and only Newcastle and Crystal Palace seperating us in the table. We spoke to Nigel Summers from the Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club to discuss how this game might pan out...

14th in the Premier League with 9 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats, what's been the story of Brighton's season so far?

The story of our season is as follows: Unrealistic expectations at the start. Underperforming key players. And then we find ourselves looking down instead of up. We seem to have got a bit of belief back with a couple of wins and good performances in defeat so things are looking up. We hope!

Are you still holding hopes for an outside chance of European qualification?

Not really. Let's just finish above Croydon.

Thoughts on Fabian Hürzeler?

There's been some disquiet during the lean spell mid-season, but this is mainly from those who've only seen us on the up in the last 15 years. Those with a bit of perspective understand that losing games of football happens. And we're in our ninth season in the Premier League, for heavens sake. One thing is for sure. At Brighton there is always a plan. Including a succession plan. We don't make managerial changes like Spurs and Forest.

We love Danny Welbeck from his loan spell here and his great scoring record against them up the road! He's your top scorer with 10 goals, what can we expect from him on Saturday?

You can't be sure he'll start for one thing. When we signed him we thought we'd get one season out of him if we're lucky, using him to educate the kids like Evan Ferguson. But it turns out he plays 90 minutes most weeks, has double figures again this season, never having done that before last year, and the media speculate he's worth a seat on the plane to the World Cup!

At 35, how long does Welbeck have left at this level?

Hard to say, but at least one more season. But he reckons more as he follows the same fitness programme as James Milner.

Other than Welbeck, who are some of your best players?

You'll be familiar with Lewis Dunk and Kauro Mitoma, the latter having a poor season by his standards. But Minteh, who we stole from your friends, can terrify defenders. And Jack Hinshelwood, who joined Brighton aged 7 and played for England U21s at the Euros last year, is fast becoming central to what we do.

On the other hand, which Sunderland players have caught your eye this season?

Xhaka obviously. But the one we were looking forward to seeing was former AFCON young player of the tournament Simon Adingra. What happened to him?!

Are you coming to the game?

No... Mother's Day takes priority I'm sorry to say.

What's your score prediction? Goalscorers?

0-1 Welbeck. Sorry!

Finally, with just three points currently separating us, where do you predict both sides to finish this year?

Both above NUFC and CPFC.