Brighton & Hove Albion all but confirmed their place in next season’s Championship without kicking a ball thanks to Blackburn Rovers’ triumph over Millwall on Tuesday.

Despite the Seagulls being on a run of five games without a victory – including a loss to basement-dwellers Wigan Athletic in their last match – Chris Hughton’s men appear to have done enough to stay in the division for a fourth consecutive season.

With Brighton currently on 46 points – and Millwall on 40 – it would take a phenomenal swing of 24 goals to see the Sussex club relegated to League One thanks to their superior goal difference of -8, compared to the -32 of Millwall.

Despite the relief of safety, Brighton will look back on the season with few fond memories, especially in contrast to the consistency of their performances in recent years.

The last two campaigns have finished in play-off places (sixth in 2013/14 and fourth in 2012/12) and their current standing of 20th would be their lowest finish in any division since 2006.

From their last eight games, the Seagulls have managed just six points; only Leeds United and Blackpool have collected fewer.

However, contrary to their current standing and run of form, Albion boast the eighth-best defensive record in the Championship, conceding 52 from 44 fixtures at a rate of 1.18 goals per game.

Watford’s visit to the American Express Community Stadium will be the Seagulls’ final home game of a forgettable season and they will seek to put to an end a run of four games at home without a win.

It should be noted Brighton’s losses during their current run have come against AFC Bournemouth and Norwich City, with Albion also managing draws against Millwall and Huddersfield Town. Their last win at the AmEx came against Derby County on March 3 and was the last in a three-match winning sequence at home.

When Brighton travelled to Vicarage Road back in October the two sides battled out a 1-1 draw with then top-scorer Lewis Dunk grabbing a late equaliser to cancel out Daniel Tozser’s opener for the Golden Boys.

Liverpool youngster Joao Teixeira is the Seagull’s top scorer with six goals but has seen his season cut short after suffering a broken leg against Huddersfield Town earlier this month. He has since been recalled by the Premier League outfit.

Midfielder Dale Stephens is currently the only player to have scored in any of the club’s last seven games after being shut out in the other six.

Indeed, Hughton’s side have not been involved in a game which has been settled by more than a two-goal margin either way since December 6, when they lost 3-0 at Derby County – a run of 25 consecutive league fixtures.

Brighton & Hove Albion starting XI vs. Wigan Athletic (18.04.15): Stockdale; Bennett, Halford, Greer, Bruno; Kayal, Holla; Lua Lua, Stephens, Calderon; Mackail-Smith.