Albion chief Gus Poyet has told fans at The Amex to be prepared for another nailbiter.

Twelve of the Seagulls’ 16 outings at their new stadium have ended in draws or wins for either team by a single goal margin.

Poyet expects the pattern to continue today against lowly Bristol City.

Albion thrashed Southampton 3-0 in their last home game in the Championship after the leaders were reduced to ten men. Normal service was resumed with a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup against Wrexham last Saturday and Albion now face a Bristol side whose last four matches have finished 1-0.

Poyet said: “It’s another typical Championship game, not better or worse than anyone we have played so far, so we need to treat it exactly the same.

“It could be close, it could be very difficult, it could be boring sometimes, but that’s football nowadays.

“Every game you watch on TV is going to be decided by one great action or one set play. We need to make sure we do that and don’t let them score against us.”

Poyet welcomes back centre half Lewis Dunk from a ban to a defence which has been disrupted all season by injuries and suspensions. Development squad rookies Grant Hall and Ben Sampayo had to be thrown in for their full debuts against Wrexham.

Poyet said: “Last year the fullbacks Calde (Inigo Calderon) and Marcos (Painter) played practically every single game, apart from Calde being suspended after the Charlton home game.

“If you were the first choice as a sub for fullback you probably played three games in a season, because they were both fit and outstanding.

“This year we’ve had so many problems I don’t know how many fullbacks I have played already, which gives opportunities.”