Albion are above Stoke in the Premier League - but they will not be in May.

At least not according to Micky Adams ahead of Monday’s clash at the Amex between two of his former clubs.

He expects Stoke’s top flight experience to enable them to improve past the Seagulls by the end of the season.

Adams, who played for Stoke towards the end of his career and then launched Albion’s revival as manager in the Withdean era, said: “I think both clubs are very similar.

“The expectancy on Stoke would probably be a bit more, because they have been in the Premier League a long time.

“Mark Hughes is under a little bit of pressure, it’s fair to say. I would say Stoke (will finish higher), because they’ve had the ability over the years to build a Premier League squad. I don’t think Brighton are quite up to that.

“People don’t understand. In the Premier League you can actually go five, ten games without getting a win and still be in and around the bottom end of it. A lot of teams will be going through the same thing because of the squads and what the top clubs can do.

“Stoke have got the better squad but, at this moment in time, Brighton are the form team.”

Adams is impressed by how well Albion have done defensively but says scoring enough goals will still be key to survival.

Can they stay up? He told The Argus: “I think there are two (relegation) definites, Crystal Palace and Swansea, then take your pick. If Huddersfield survive it’s better than Leicester winning the League.

“It could be between Huddersfield and a number of others and I would class Brighton in that as well, because they are not the finished article by any means.”

Adams and his ex-assistant Bob Booker were at the Amex last night to reminisce about their Albion careers in a light-hearted question and answer session, attended by fans and former chairman Dick Knight.