Brighton and Hove Albion are preparing for a decisive night of European football as they host Norwegian side Tromsø at the Amex Stadium in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off.
The tie remains finely balanced after the two sides played out a goalless draw in Norway last Thursday, leaving everything to play for on the South Coast tonight.
Kick-off at the Amex is at 7.30pm, with the winners over the two legs securing a place in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross has described the fixture as a “do or die game”, with Albion looking to make home advantage count after being unable to break down Tromsø in the first leg.
Gross captained Brighton in Norway, where Fabian Hürzeler’s side were held 0-0 despite naming a side which included Georginio Rutter, Yasin Ayari and Olivier Boscagli.
Albion come into tonight’s European clash on the back of an impressive 4-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday, providing a significant confidence boost ahead of the return meeting with Tromsø.
Hürzeler has said the performance against Villa has set the standard for his players as Brighton attempt to secure their place in the next stage of European competition.
The Conference League represents Brighton’s return to continental football following their previous European campaign in the Europa League.
UEFA’s qualifying programme reaches its conclusion tonight, with the second legs of the Conference League play-offs determining which clubs advance to the league phase.
Supporters travelling to the Amex are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys because of continuing rail disruption in the area. Brighton say the club’s free matchday travel zone will be operating for both home and away supporters.
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