SHOWCASE-Soccer-Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City - Fans' view
LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) - Leicester City travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday and their manager Claude Puel will have one eye firmly on a European place.
Brighton, meanwhile, are just six points short of the 40-point mark -- the total traditionally regarded as being enough to guarantee top-flight survival.
Here is what the fans have to say about their respective clubs:
Scott McCarthy, WeAreBrighton.com
"The game against Leicester is huge for us. We may look relatively comfortable riding high in mid-table, but our last eight games include playing Huddersfield (H), Manchester United (H), Manchester City (A) and Liverpool (A).
"A poor return from Leicester and Huddersfield, and all of a sudden you are looking at that run in and wondering where the points are going to come from, especially as we haven't scored from open play against the top-five so far this season.
"We've been in really good form since the January transfer window shut, bar a woeful display at Everton three weeks ago. We've also not lost at home so far this season to anyone outside of the top-five and we are scoring plenty at the Amex. I am predicting a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
"For all the praise (defenders) Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy have received, they've been susceptible to pace in around the back at times, so (Leicester striker) Jamie Vardy will probably be rubbing his hands together with anticipation.
"I'm delighted to see Claude Puel doing so well since taking over -- its always good to see a manager doing well after being discarded by a club just because their supporters have an over-inflated sense of entitlement -- especially while their former team struggles.
"How's getting away from Puel's boring football working out for you, Southampton?
"I'm fairly confident we'll be safe this season but the sooner we reach the 40-point mark the better. Memories are still relatively fresh of last season's end to the campaign.
"We needed one win from the final three games to win the Championship title but only picked up one point."
Matt Davies, vice chairman, Foxes Trust
"I am looking forward to the game against Brighton because on paper it's still a fairly important fixture for both sides.
"Brighton are trying to avoid getting sucked back into any relegation battle as soon as possible and Leicester need to pick up points if we are to have any hope of a European place next season.
"The game has all the hallmarks of a 1-1 or 2-2 draw to me.
"There are only six teams that have won more points away from home than us. Only one loss in the last five league games means Brighton are an in-form side.
"Leicester are a team that thrive on confidence, so an early goal for Brighton could see our heads drop and if that happened then they could trouble us in any area.
"If I am being honest, then personally I am not overly optimistic about landing seventh place and securing a place in Europe. Burnley and Arsenal have easy games on paper against West Brom and Stoke respectively.
"What I do think though, is that a loss to Brighton would probably end all possibilities, if only from a confidence perspective.
"I think it is fair to say that while Claude Puel hasn't 'won over' supporters yet, he hasn't lost many either and most fans are remaining fairly open-minded.
"Generally speaking, big personalities tend to win or lose supporters far quicker than managers who are extrovert.
"In terms of progress, I think we are harder to beat under Puel but we need to convert more draws into wins in order to be pushing for European places." (Editing by John O'Brien)
