DREAM TEAM managers are turning their backs on Brighton players in droves this week.
With several fixtures still to play before Gameweek 7 is complete, Pervis Estupinan (£3.4m) and Kaoru Mitoma (£3.8m) are among the most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 8.
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Only the suspended Rodri (£4.2m) has been shipped out of more teams than the Ecuador left-back this week, with the Japan winger third in the list of recently ditched assets.
Clearly this is a response to the Seagulls' capitulation at Villa Park on Saturday.
Ollie Watkins (£4.1m) inspired Aston Villa to an emphatic 6-1 win in what many anticipated to be a competitive contest.
It was a particularly brutal encounter for Estupinan, who missed a gilt-edged chance early on and was then all over the shop defensively before being hooked at half time.
The 25-year-old incurred minus one point to continue what has been a relatively lean period of late.
He burst out of the blocks with 18 points in his first two outings but has mustered just 15 points across the five Gameweeks since.
As for Mitoma, he claimed just one point at the weekend.
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The skilful dribbler has more credit in the bank as he pouched 15 points the previous Gameweek, mostly through his match-winning display against Bournemouth.
Roberto De Zerbi's enterprising tactics ensure plenty of goals but clean sheets are few and far between, so perhaps it's understandable that so many gaffers feel there are better alternatives to Estupinan.
Mitoma's popularity dip feels harsher but, with an ownership of 20.4%, it's worth noting he's still the fourth-most selected midfielder in the game.
Perhaps Dream Team bosses are moving away from Brighton assets because of the fixture list.
Having suffered a heavy defeat to the Villains, De Zerbi's side suddenly look vulnerable ahead of Liverpool's visit to the south coast this coming weekend.
And a trip to Manchester City first up after the international break has to be considered among the most-difficult match-ups in world football at present.
However, it may not be long before Mitoma and company are back in favour as Brighton's league fixtures from the end of this month through to mid-December look rather friendly.
They're due to host Fulham at the end of October and will then face: Everton, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Brentford, Burnley.
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There's also the small matter of Europa League commitments to consider.
Gaffers would also do well to remember that Brighton won five of their six league games prior to their Villa Park humbling and they remain the league's top scorers.
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