The Fosse Way’s Hazzetta season preview - 3: Brighton to Everton
Part three of Harry Gregory’s season preview takes us cross-country, from Brighton Pavilion to the Albert Dock, via the mean streets of South London. Found anyone who’s going to finish below us yet?
A quick reminder that each club is judged based on its away day experience as a visiting fan, the potential for a meltdown from the stands, likelihood of a points deduction, and the player most likely to score against the Foxes.
We’ve also got access to a secret algorithm to predict their expected relegation chance (xR) and finishing position.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Last season: 11th.
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 7th December / Away – 12th April
The model club now face the difficult sequel. At times under Roberto Di Zerbi, they were incredibly good but by end of 2023/34, the relationship had soured and strained. Brighton limped towards the season finish and were quite aware that it would be a summer of managerial change.
Fabian Hurzeler is a huge gamble. At 31, he’s the youngster ever PL manager (likely to be the most stated fact of the opening PL weekend) but his record at St Pauli saw just seven losses out of 55.
Away day scope
Their stadium is quite impressive but it’s also a total pain to arrive at. We normally try to make a weekend of Brighton, so we can take advantage of the stadium’s later closing times. The other benefit is that Brighton has multiple pubs to select from pre-match. You could choose to go the other side of Falmer rail station and spend the afternoon in pretty Lewes.
Spare hour? The Pavilion in Brighton is a history lesson which is worth taking and so you understand why such an oddity of a building exists on the South coast.
Opposition meltdown?
Tony Bloom is a supporter and much like his former poker rival, Matthew Benham at Brentford, this has greatly assisted the supporters feeling at ease with his decision making. A lot of fans agree that De Zerbi’s time in charge was fun but the journey had reached a natural end.
Points deduction
One of the qualities which has seen Brighton heralded as the ‘model club’ is their ability to find players from lesser divisions who they then sell on for big transfer fees. That’s even more helpful when it’s Chelsea who are consistently ready to hand over the money as well.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Danny Welbeck. Welbz seems a decent enough bloke and an alright player. Put Leicester in front of him and he adopts prime Brazilian Ronaldo abilities. He’s bound to score, as he always does.
xR
There’s an unknown regards their manager but there is too much Premier League quality to really get dragged in. Our super computer suggests a season of no Europe but no relegation.
Chelsea
Last season: 6th
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 23rd November / Away - 8th March
Chelsea’s season will be a fascinating study on who was really correct? Was it several Leicester supporters dismissive of Enzo Maresca’s style, or is it Michael Thomas and Guillem Balague citing Maresca as the second coming of Johan Cruyff?
Throughout pre-season, Maresca’s system was exposed and the racism row over Enzo Fernandez doesn’t look fully resolved, particularly after Maresca gave him the captain’s armband.
With several ex-Leicester players who display very unlikeable traits amongst their midst, the fixture in November will be tasty.
Away day scope
Stamford Bridge’s obvious positive is that it’s as central as any stadium in London can be and the pre-match possibilities are endless. Admittedly, I do find the surrounding parts of Chelsea to be a desert in terms of decent pubs and the recent cup game last year put up few options other than nearby chains.
At that point I had got wet walking around Hyde Park but I did enjoy the walk through Kensington Palace when the weather got better. So feel free to do that when it’s dry.
Opposition meltdown?
High meltdown vibes. We have a fanbase in contention with our own. The new ownership led by Todd Boelhy has been a disaster on and off the pitch.
Their Fans Advisory Board has been labelled a puppet show put in position by the club. The Chelsea Supporters Trust went public with a letter citing dissatisfaction with the lack of fan engagement and price increases across the board.
Points deduction
They shouldn’t get one, but there’s a slim chance. They have exhausted every loophole going to reduce the likelihood of FFP coming to get them.
The amortisation trick where they were handing out long-term contracts to create less of a financial burden was halted. Conor Gallagher’s sale is thought to be the key in avoiding any future issues.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Take your pick from ex-Foxes but I will go with Marc Cucurella. I speak for every English household that screamed at the television in injury time of the Euro final, when he took a dive to waste some time. He’s very annoying.
xR
It would be nice but it’s exceedingly unlikely. A 7% chance of Champions League qualification in case it all clicks and a 42% chance of European qualification.
Crystal Palace
Last season: 10th
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 14th September / Away - 14th January
Subject to what Palace’s squad looks like at the end of the August, they present one of the most exciting teams currently in the Premier League. It is a welcome change after years of a ‘being there’ existence.
They rolled the dice in the appointment of Oliver Glasner and Palace set about having an excellent end to the season. Jean-Phillippe Mateta has been transformed and their midfield looks balanced.
Away day scope
Many moan about the difficulty of getting to Palace as it’s south of the River Thames. It’s not a complicated route from Victoria, but it’s a bloody long trip.
However, you can tap into several areas in London on the journey there or base yourself in any of Balham or Clapham or Brixton. There’s a fair few old school pubs and the odd more affluent hostelries amongst those three areas.
Brixton Market can be an assault on the senses. For good or bad, depending on your view. It’s actual proper South London rather than a tourist-tinged view of London.
Opposition meltdown?
The Holmesdale Fanatics have often been at odds with Steve Parish but that’s subsided for now. In 2022, the Palace Trust closed, citing that it had completed its goal and gave way to an independent supporters association.
That independent association have gone public with their dissatisfaction with the sponsorship (yes, it’s another dodgy betting site). Finally, they have appointed a contractor for the construction of their new main stand. The ownership of Palace is still messy but appears to be clearing itself up.
Points deduction
No, thanks to some good player trading. A position that has been improved by signing Michael Olise using his release clause of approximately £8.3 million and then selling him to Bayern Munich this summer for 60 million euros. FFP issues should be fine.
Likely opposition goalscorer
Only one man for the job: Jeffrey Schlupp. You know what, I deserve it as well. I had a viral tweet about Palace signing him which even made the Mercury. It wasn’t nice and he’s since gone onto be a very dependable utility player in the top flight.
xR
The super computer was impressed by their finish and its algorithms are supportive of the Eagles. 14% chance of Europe and 0% chance of relegation.
Everton
Last season: 15th
Fixtures v Leicester: Home - 21st September / Away - 1st February
Ahh the Ev. The Premier League’s greatest soap opera. You must admire it. It’s not a Premier League season without the Bullens boo. We joke and jest but twice Leicester have been the decisive party in keeping them in the top flight; the second time at our own expense.
This summer they’ve actually had some freedom to sign some players and it will be interesting to see how Iliman Ndiaye gets on in the top flight.
Away day scope
It’s your last chance to visit Goodison Park, one of the few grounds representative of football from a bygone era, before they move over to Bramley Dock.
It’s always a bit of a pain to get to Goodison from Liverpool city centre, where a whole raft of excellent pubs (some architecturally outstanding) are located. That list includes the much-heralded, one-time winner of the Hazzetta Pub of the Season award, the Ship and Mitre. The new stadium is still a good distance away but it’s a far easier route. Goodison is on my list for a final visit.
Liverpool is an underrated gem of a city. If the Beatles and Cavern Club don’t take your fancy, the Maritime Museum contains an extensive display on the Titanic whilst also being located at the famous Albert Dock.
Opposition meltdown?
Well, it’s Everton. The fans are forever in crisis. The ownership situation isn’t pretty. It’s proving difficult to sell a club which has now racked up debt to various parties, including the charlatans 777 Group.
There’s a united feeling of adversity evident, though. Their Fans Advisory Board was called upon to give evidence at select committee and it appears far more innovative than fellow FABs.
Points deduction
In a late edit there are rumbles that they may have failed FFP/PSR again. This is despite some classic yin and yang with Aston Villa, which involved selling youth academy products to each other, and the sale of Amadou Onana to the same club for £50 million as well.
The wage bill has been vastly reduced. The bigger problem for Everton is the huge loans taken on to construct the stadium to various parties and how that shapes up (not just as a FFP risk but as a genuine financial risk).
Likely opposition goalscorer
Jack Harrison was everything bar a signature away from becoming a Leicester player. If you wonder why our own FFP issues are problematic, we were willing to give this lad an obscene wage.
xR
Everton’s ability to get dragged into the relegation battle relies on three things; can the defence, that Dyche prioritises, stay fit, can a striker find some form for them, and will other teams at the bottom be as poor collectively as they were last season. A 7% chance of relegation.
