How to watch Sunderland vs Brighton live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

Brighton’s pursuit of European qualification reaches a critical juncture on Saturday when Fabian Hürzeler’s side travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland at 11 a.m. ET. With only a handful of fixtures remaining, the Seagulls—sitting on 37 points—must close the gap on the clubs above them, and victory on Wearside is all but mandatory if they are to keep continental dreams alive.

Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has been central to Brighton’s recent resurgence, back-stopping a side that has won three of its last four when scoring twice. The numbers are stark: in 2026, when Brighton have netted two goals they are a perfect 3-0; when they have scored once or fewer, they are winless in seven (three draws, four defeats). Finding a reliable route to goal, therefore, is the tactical puzzle Hürzeler must solve.

Sunderland, 11th in the table, ended a month-long drought last weekend by toppling Leeds United at Elland Road. Head coach Régis Le Bris will hope that result sparks a late-season surge, beginning with a positive result against Brighton ahead of next week’s Tyne-Wear derby at St. James’ Park. The Black Cats have already taken three points from the Seagulls this campaign and can complete a season-series bragging-rights haul with another strong showing on home soil, though early-season fortress form at the Stadium of Light has recently given way to defeats against Liverpool and Fulham.

Team news is mixed for both camps. Sunderland will definitely be without Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Bertrand Traoré (knee) and Robin Roefs (thigh), while Dennis Cirkin (thigh), Reinildo (knee), Nordi Mukiele (calf) and Brian Brobbey (groin) remain doubtful. Brighton are missing Adam Webster (knee) and Stefanos Tzimas (unspecified), with Lewis Dunk (knee), Solly March (unspecified) and Kaoru Mitoma (ankle) all listed as questionable.

Despite those absences, oddsmakers have installed Brighton as slight favorites, citing both their upward trajectory and Sunderland’s recent home hiccups. A draw, however, would not be a surprise: the pre-match projection tips a 1-1 stalemate that would leave Brighton with an increasingly narrow path to Europe and Sunderland still chasing a top-half finish.

United States viewers can catch the contest live on USA Network or stream it via the same channel’s digital platforms. For real-time updates, goals and in-game analysis, follow ProSoccerTalk’s live blog from the Stadium of Light.