´We can´t feel sorry for ourselves´ – Hurzeler confident of turning Brighton´s fortunes around

Fabian Hurzeler insisted his Brighton team would not feel sorry for themselves after their fourth-round exit in the FA Cup continued their dismal run of form.

Brighton were thumped 3-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday, with Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah all on target in a comfortable win for the Reds.

It was a result that meant the Seagulls have now won just two of their last 15 games in all competitions (D6 L7), losing three on the bounce without scoring for the first time since March 2024, piling the pressure on Hurzeler.

But Brighton had their chances at Anfield, with Diego Gomez and Lewis Dunk seeing their respective efforts either side of half-time repelled by Alisson Becker.

And ahead of their trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to face seventh-placed Brentford this weekend, Hurzeler wants to see a response from his players.

“In the second half, it was the same picture. We had a big chance with Lewis, and then a couple of minutes later, they scored. That was the difference,” Hurzeler said.

“They used their moments and we didn’t. In the end, it was a disappointing result because our fans were great today, they supported us for 90 minutes, and they deserved more.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. It is about us and me taking responsibility and working for it. You have to take the small step right, and then we can take a big step.”

Locked in. pic.twitter.com/eqDSV6z76q

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 18, 2026

Brentford were in FA Cup action on Monday, as they were able to avoid a giant-killing at sixth-tier Macclesfield, emerging 1-0 victors to reach the fifth round.

For just the second time in the last 20 seasons, the Bees have reached the FA Cup fifth round, continuing Keith Andrews’ impressive debut campaign in charge.

Following Brentford’s 1-1 draw with leaders Arsenal last time out, they have also only lost two of their last 11 Premier League games (W6 D3).

In addition, across each side’s last 11 matches in the top flight, only the Gunners (24) and Manchester City (22) have more points than the Bees’ 21.

And while captain Nathan Collins remained focused on the league after their win at Macclesfield, he said an FA Cup run would go along nicely with a good end to the season.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, we need to get the job done. Macclesfield could beat anyone on any day,” Collins told TNT Sports.

“If we can top it off with a cup run, then that would be great. Our fans deserve it.

“Credit to Macclesfield. They made it extremely hard for us. They put up a great fight, and they deserve credit for that.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Igor Thiago

After being handed a rest from Brentford’s FA Cup win, Igor Thiago will be hoping to add to his 17 Premier League goals this season, a total only Erling Haaland (22) can better in the top flight.

The Brazilian netted in the reverse fixture but also missed a 94th-minute penalty, but it is not just his play in front of goal that has been impressive.

Indeed, Thiago has applied more pressures both overall (1,986) and in the opposition half (1,392) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

Having failed to score in their last three matches in all competitions, Brighton will be looking to top scorer Danny Welbeck to rediscover his golden touch in front of goal.

The 35-year-old has three goals in seven top-flight matches against Brentford, including one in their 2-1 win at the American Express Stadium in their previous meeting.

James Milner, meanwhile, will set a new record for Premier League appearances should he feature in this game.

MATCH PREDICTION: BRENTFORD WIN

Brentford won this exact fixture 4-2 last season, last winning consecutive home league games against Brighton between 1998 and 2007 (four).

The Bees are in good form, too, having picked up 20 points in their last 10 Premier League matches (W6 D2 L2), as many as they won in their first 16 games this season (W6 D2 L8).

And their threat from set-pieces has been key. In the last two seasons, Brentford have scored 10 goals from throw-in situations – no other side has scored more than four.

They are the first side to score 10+ throw-in goals in the space of two seasons since Stoke City in 2008-09 (nine) and 2009-10 (five).

Brighton, meanwhile, are looking to complete the Premier League double over Brentford for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.

However, no side has won fewer Premier League matches since December than Brighton (W1 D6 L6). They could go seven without a win for the first time since a run of eight between November and January last season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 48.9%

Draw – 25.7%

Brighton – 25.4%