Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who could be decisive in the midweek Matchweek 27 fixtures.
Kaoru Mitoma
What a stunning breakthrough season this has been for Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma.
Scoring six Premier League goals and making two assists in just 12 starts since late October, the Japan international has quickly become one of the most efficient left-sided forwards in the division.
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Trusted by head coach Roberto De Zerbi, the talented 25-year-old will be one of the first names on the Brighton teamsheet for their midweek match at home to Crystal Palace.
Graham Potter signed Mitoma from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale in August 2021, but never handed him a top-flight start.
A successful loan spell in Belgium with Union SG last season helped him adjust to European football, and since making his full Brighton league debut under De Zerbi in a 4-1 win at home to Chelsea, the winger has not looked back.
See: Mitoma's rise to Brighton superstar
His 35.8 per cent shot-conversion rate is among the best in the division, and in terms of end product no one in the Brighton squad can match his contributions per 90 minutes.
Top Brighton attackers
| Player | Mins/Goal | Player | Conversion rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | 151.7 | Gross | 37.5% |
| Mitoma | 198.3 | Mitoma | 35.3% |
| Mac Allister | 259.7 | Lallana | 25.0% |
| Player | Goals/assists* | Player | Touches in opp. box* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitoma | 0.6 | Mitoma | 7.0 |
| Gross | 0.4 | Welbeck | 5.3 |
| Mac Allister | 0.4 | March | 4.5 |
*per 90min
Mitoma delivers penetration and excellent decision-making inside the final third, making Brighton a better side with him in their starting XI.
Mitoma’s pace, skill, energy and finishing have undoubtedly improved the Seagulls attack.
With him in the side they win more matches and score a greater number of goals.
Brighton when Mitoma starts
| Matches | Wins | Goals | |
| Mitoma starting | 12 | 7 | 31 |
| Mitoma not starting | 12 | 4 | 14 |
While the attacking style of De Zerbi, coupled with the introduction of young striker Evan Ferguson, are other factors behind their improved threat, Mitoma’s influence is huge.
With a top speed of 34.02km/h, he is among their quickest players. Full-back Pervis Estupinan is the only Brighton team-mate to produce more sprints per 90 minutes than the winger’s 21.5.
Cutting in with menace
It is Mitoma’s speed with the ball at his feet that sets him apart from many other wide men. He loves to drive in from the left, on to his stronger right foot to shoot at goal.
His curling goals against Arsenal, Everton and Leicester City were all extremely similar, where he darted inside at pace before taking his shot.
Statistically, Mitoma is one of the most accomplished dribblers in the Premier League, so Palace must do their best to crowd his space on Wednesday at the Amex Stadium.
Where possible, Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne must try to show him down the line.
Premier League’s best dribblers*
| Player | Completed dribbles/90 |
|---|---|
| Said Benrahma | 2.8 |
| Kaoru Mitoma | 2.7 |
| Eberechi Eze | 2.3 |
| Gabriel Jesus | 2.3 |
| Marcus Tavernier | 2.2 |
*Minimum 10 starts
Mitoma's secret weapon is that he is also deceptively strong in the air.
He has scored with two headed goals this season and assisted Alexis Mac Allister with a far-post knockdown at Leeds United last time out.
Today’s opener, scored by @AleMacAllister! 🎯 @BrightonTools 📺 pic.twitter.com/hZTWWmSMY6
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 11, 2023
Brighton’s in-form wide man certainly has potential to be a matchwinner against a Palace side who are still searching for their first victory of 2023.