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Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 12, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
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'I wouldn't put money on it': Hughton thinks title race is too close to call

Albion have lost all three of their Premier League games against Liverpool.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton says Liverpool are favourites to lift the Premier League title but "wouldn't put money on it".

Jurgen Klopp's table-topping side travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday with a four-point cushion on champions Manchester City.

However, the Reds were beaten 2-1 by second-placed City in their previous league fixture, before crashing out of the FA Cup at Wolves on Monday.

Asked if the Merseyside club can end their 19-year wait for a top-flight title, Hughton replied: "I don't know.

"At this moment, I think they are favourites simply because of the points difference, and I think they've been outstanding.

"But you certainly can't write off a Manchester City team that have been the best team over the last few seasons and arguably played the best football.

"I think Liverpool are favourites but I couldn't tell you who will win it.

"And certainly, I wouldn't put money on it."

Mid-table Albion were thrashed 4-0 and 5-1 by free-scoring Liverpool last season but were unfortunate in a 1-0 defeat at Anfield back in August.

Hughton, who has seen his team go four games unbeaten in all competitions, has urged his players to replicate that display as they attempt to secure a shock result.

"It was a performance that didn't get us a result but we were very close to it," Hughton said of the narrow loss.

"We will definitely have to be somewhere close to that to even think about getting something on Saturday.

"You have to have a defensive strategy, I don't think there's any team that plays against them that can afford to go into a game without that, even Manchester City, which was a great game.

"You also have to have a strategy to get out and keep hold of the ball. We are going to have to have periods of the ball – the longer and more often they have the ball what they have shown is that they will break you down with the quality they have.

"Certainly a defensive strategy is needed but we have to make sure we give them a game."

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 21, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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