Albion's away wins are keeping them out of the relegation zone this season.

Success at Southampton on Sunday would take them to five victories on the road, their most yet in a Premier League season.

It would equal their club record in the top flight.

They also won five in 1981-82, out of 21 matches, en route to 13th place.

The Seagulls have arguably never been more dependent on away points.

They certainly have not since the 2009-10 season in League One.

But then that is probably to be expected because they have never previously played in front of empty stadia.

It is surely no surprise they have put together the longest winless run at home in their history at an unprecedented time when the stands have been closed.

(And no surprise that the previous worst came when they were playing in exile at Gillingham).

No surprise, either, that Liverpool have suddenly lost six in a row for the first time ever at their Anfield fortress.

Albion probably will not stay up if they do not add to their lone success so far at the Amex.

But the numbers show exactly why there is no need to be shocked at the sudden switch in the balance between home win and away wins.

All of which is another reason why they can target three precious points in Hampshire on Sunday.

HOME WINS, DRAWS, AWAY WINS

The basic numbers tell a tale. So far, 39% of Prem fixtures this term have ended in away wins while 37% have brought home victories and 24% draws.

That compares to 31% away wins last season and as low as 28% in 2017-18. Back in 2016-17, 49% of Prem fixtures were won by the hosts.

TEAM BY TEAM

So far nine teams have more wins away than at home, compared to just one last season(Southampton).

Look at how things have progressed up until this point (week 29) over the last three campaigns.

Manchester City are well set to regain the title this time, despite having only won 12 of their 16 games.

That is a decent haul but compares poorly with the home records of previous pace-setters.

West Ham are the only other team to have won more than half of their home games, with eight from 14.

Compare that to two seasons ago.

By this stage, Manchester City had won 14 out of 15 at the Etihad, Liverpool 12 out of 14 at Anfield (where they were unbeaten) and Arsenal 12 out of 15 at the Emirates.

The top six at this stage in 2018-19 had all won more than half their home games and that increased to the top eight by the end of the campaign.

Last year, Liverpool had won all 15 home games when the season was halted at this stage.

WHAT ABOUT AT THE BOTTOM?

Southampton were bottom of the home-only table when lockdown came a year ago.

They had picked up 14 points from 15 games in front of their own fans.

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That is at least four points more than four teams have at home so far this season. (Sheffield United are currently worst at home with ten points from 15 games while Fulham and Albion have ten from 14).

Every team had at least four home wins at this point a year ago.

That is something the current bottom four can only dream of.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

As things stand, Albion are on course to have more away wins than home in a league season for the first time since 2009-10.

That was the season in which they gradually climbed the League One standings after Gus Poyet took over in November.

Eight of their 15 league successes that term came away from Withdean.

They included a 3-1 win at Southampton.

Albion fans will hope there is an omen there.