Brighton vs Bologna predicted XI - Yankuba Minteh decision made after injury blow
· Derren Howard · 2026-08-13T13:55:03+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Brighton vs Bologna predicted XI - Yankuba Minteh decision made after injury blow and Charalmapos Kostoulas update
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Bologna in pre-season action at the Amex Stadium - Saturday, 3pm
Brighton have key injury issues for their final pre-season clash ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The Seagulls welcome Serie A club Bologna to the Amex Stadium this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off with injury concerns to star players Yankuba Minteh (leg), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring) and Carlos Baleba (ankle).
All three are usually certain starters, which is a worry as Albion's Uefa Conference League first leg play-off against Tromso (almost certain) is in Norway is on August 20, less than a week away. Tromso have a 5-0 lead from the first leg qualifier against Cluj and host the Romanians in Norway for the second leg on Thursday.
Brighton's Premier League opener is against Aston Villa on August 23 at the Amex Stadium and the second leg against Tromso is on August 27.
It's a full throttle start for Albion and who starts against Bologna this Saturday could give some indication to Hurzeler's thinking ahead of the season openers.
Bart Verbruggen - GK
The Dutch international kept a clean sheet last time out against Roma and - as has been the case for the past two seasons - if he's fit, he starts.
Mats Wieffer - RB
Will he ever play midfield again? Most likely, but for now Hurzeler wants him at right back. A good run out against Roma and more minutes from the start against Bologna are likely. Expect Costinha to come on in the second half.
Luka Vuskovic - CB
A very encouraging Amex Stadium debut for the £50m man against Roma last week and should get more minutes under his belt this Saturday. The Vuskovic-Boscagli combo looked very good.
Olivier Boscagli - CB
There were slight injury concerns for Michael Svoboda and Pascal Struijk last week. If that continues, then Boscagli could start once more with Dunk expected to feature as well.
Ferdi Kadioglu - LB
I'll go with Kadioglu here but don't be surprised to see De Cuyper start this one either as the Belgian also needs minutes ahead the season.
Yasin Ayari - CM
Scored twice against Roma and will likely start in midfield once more as Baleba is expected to remain sidelined with his ankle issue. Ayari is a very under rated PL midfielder.
Pascal Gross - CM
The 35-year-old played against Roma as though he'd never been away. Tactically and technically excellent. What a man.
Diego Gomez - RW
Wingers area talking point at Brighton as Mitoma is definitely out and Minteh will likely miss this one after picking up an injury against Roma. Gomez on the right perhaps? This Saturday could though be a chance for Amario Cozier Duberry or Zadok Yohanna.
Jack Hinshelwood - No 10
The Brighton academy graduate and England under-21 Looks increasingly comfortable in the No 10 role. He looks a real athlete these days and looked fit as a fiddle against Roma.
Ibrahim Osman - LW
Ok, so no Mitoma… let's have a good look at Osman then. The Ghana flyer was pretty decent from the bench last week and it would be nice to see him start here.
Charalampos Kostoulas - CF
Georginio started and scored against Roma last week but I just feel Kostoulas might get the nod here as Hurzeler gives his young Greek striker some extra minutes. Georginio and Kostoulas are set to battle it out for the CF role.