Albion boss Peter Taylor has warned Port Vale must not be underestimated at Withdean tomorrow.
Fifteen places and 14 points separate the promotion-chasing Seagulls from Brian Horton's strugglers.
That suggests a 15th home win out of 16 is on the cards for Taylor's in-form team, but he said: "We all know it's different than that. The moment you relax in this game you get punished.
"There is no point in us going to Bristol City and getting a fantastic result, then taking our foot off the pedal against Port Vale.
"They finished last season as well as any team in the country, so that shows what they are capable of.
"Hopefully we can carry on our home form. The record was lost against Brentford last month and we want it to be a while before we lose again in front of our own fans."
Taylor believes the return of former Albion captain and manager Horton will give Vale an extra incentive to end his own undefeated run of five games since succeeding Micky Adams.
"When you go back to one of your old clubs, whether as a manager or a player, you are desperate to do well so this will be a little bit extra special for Brian," Taylor said.
"He was a fantastic player for the club and he is an excellent manager. I know him well and he is a great bloke who I have a lot of respect for.
"He kicked me a few times when I played against him, so I've got to get my own back!"
Albion will make a late decision on star striker Bobby Zamora. He was forced off at Ashton Gate last Saturday by a strained hamstring tendon after slotting his 12th goal of the season.
A one-match ban rules out Vale's tough-tackling midfielder Neil Brisco.
Albion will return to the top of the table for the first time since the end of September if they win and Vale's Potteries rivals Stoke, who are third, beat leaders Brentford at the Britannia Stadium.
Elsewhere, Reading in fourth entertain fifth-placed Bristol City while Peterborough, currently occupying the last play-off place, are at Wycombe, the side immediately below them.
Huddersfield, another of Horton's old clubs, will move up to fourth if they win at home to Notts County tonight.
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