Brighton & Hove Albion vs Roma 8 August 2026 Prediction

The summer preseason is entering its final stage. Brighton is returning to European competition, while Roma has finally qualified for the Champions League. This friendly gives both teams a useful test before the competitive schedule begins.

Brighton’s Attack Is Already Producing Results

Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton is preparing for a demanding season that includes the Premier League and Conference League qualifying. The German manager continues to use a four-man defense with aggressive pressure from the flanks. Brighton had to move its preseason camp to Austria at short notice but has still won both friendlies, beating Wycombe 4-1 and Strasbourg 4-3 in a closed-door 120-minute match.

The squad is undergoing significant changes. James Milner retired, Danny Welbeck joined Chelsea, while Adam Webster, Solly March, and Joel Veltman left on free transfers. The biggest departure was center back Jan Paul van Hecke, who moved to Tottenham for €60 million. Brighton reinvested the money by signing young defender Luka Vuskovic from Spurs for a club-record €54 million. The club also added highly rated prospect Johanna for €28 million and strengthened the defense with Pascal Struijk, Costinha, and David Zima.

Several injured players are gradually returning to full training, but Brighton still has limited options in attack. Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson will miss the home friendly against Roma as they continue their recoveries from ankle and hamstring surgery. Stefanos Tzimas also remains unavailable while recovering from a serious knee ligament injury.

Roma Has Been Inconsistent in Preseason

Roma’s training camp in Wales produced mixed results. The Italian side drew 3-3 with Caen, lost 4-1 to Cardiff City, and then responded with a 4-1 win over Newport County. The squad has shown plenty of intensity, although a heavy challenge in the previous match nearly caused a confrontation between the teams.

Roma has focused on targeted additions rather than a complete rebuild. The main signing was Argentine forward Santiago Castro for €35 million, while Artem Dovbyk moved in the opposite direction on loan to Bologna. Greek center back Konstantinos Koulierakis arrived for €17 million. Both new signings have already scored in preseason. Roma has also reduced the size of its squad, sending left back Angelino to Deportivo on loan after he was left out of the manager’s plans.

Mohamed Ba will definitely miss the match because of a serious knee injury. Gian Piero Gasperini will also be without Manu Kone, who remains on vacation.

Brighton vs Roma Predicted Lineup

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Vuskovic, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Gomez, Buonanotte, Minteh; Rutter

Unavailable: Mitoma, Ferguson, Tzimas (all injured)

Manager: Fabian Hurzeler

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Mannini, Rensch; Dybala, Soule; Malen

Unavailable: Ba (injured), Kone (not included in the squad)

Manager: Gian Piero Gasperini

Brighton vs Roma Prediction: Brighton to Win

Main prediction: There is no major difference in overall quality between the teams, so current form and playing conditions become more important. Brighton has already shown its attacking potential under Hurzeler, beating Wycombe 4-1 and Strasbourg 4-3. Returning to the Amex after the training camp should also give the home side an additional advantage. Roma has been less convincing, especially in defense. The Italian club conceded three goals against Caen and four against Cardiff City. Brighton looks better prepared and should create enough chances against an unsettled Roma back line. Our pick is Brighton to win at odds of 2.48.

Totals prediction: Both teams have been productive in attack and vulnerable defensively. Brighton creates chances consistently but also allows opponents opportunities at the other end. Roma has followed a similar pattern, scoring regularly while making costly defensive mistakes. Every preseason match involving either club has produced at least five goals. With both teams favoring an attacking approach, our pick is over 3.5 goals at odds of 2.26.