Guy Butters and Adam El-Abd will be standing shoulder to shoulder in the centre of Albion's defence against Ipswich on Sunday.

Yet they are sharply divided by one of the other games which could have a bearing on the Seagulls' Championship future.

Butters is desperate for his old club Gillingham to stay up with Albion, even though it will cost him a crate of cigarettes.

Nottingham Forest fan El-Abd is hoping his relegated team beat Gillingham at the City Ground.

That would guarantee Albion finishing above the Gills and condemn their former landlords to the drop if Crewe also win at home to Coventry.

Butters struck a friendly bet with heavy-smoking Gillingham boss Stan Ternent following Albion's 2-1 victory at Withdean on Boxing Day.

The Seagulls' veteran revealed: "When we played them at our place I was talking to him as we were coming off. I phoned the kit man (Bob Lewin) the next day. He was talking to Stan at the time and he put me onto him.

"He said he hadn't been relegated yet and wasn't about to start now. He also said he thought we would be all right and that there would be a drink on it for me if we stayed up.

"I know he likes his fags in the dug-out, so I said if they stay up I'll send him a crate of fags."

Butters was at Gillingham for six seasons before joining Albion on a free transfer in August 2002.

"I've still got good friends there and I still keep in contact with a few of them," said the former Portsmouth stopper.

"I speak to Chris Hope (defender) quite a lot, but mainly it is the kit man. I used to stay at his house. 'Bob The Blister' they call him.

"There are loads of people still there that I know. I've seen the chairman (Paul Scally) out and about a couple of times. It would be nice if they can stay up as well. In an ideal situation I would rather Crewe go down.

"I'm led to believe Crewe haven't won since New Year's Day, so I suppose they are bound to win on Sunday!"

El-Abd grew up as a Forest fan at a time when they were still a Premiership force. The Brighton-born youngster wants Forest to end their wretched season with a bang against the Gills after they were relegated at Queens Park Rangers last Saturday.

"It has been on the cards," he said. "I have been expecting it for some time now, but it is disappointing to see such a big club go down.

"It wasn't so long ago that they were one of the top sides in the country. Now look at them.

"We've gone from nothing to where we are now, which just shows how quickly things can change in football.

"It would be nice if we could rely on others, but that is not the way we are approaching the Ipswich game.

"We are thinking about ourselves, not other people, to get the point we need or maybe three to survive on our own merit."

El-Abd, 20, and Butters, 35, were thrown together again for last Saturday's 1-0 win at Rotherham after Adam Virgo pulled out with cartilage trouble.

El-Abd was relieved to have such an experienced campaigner alongside him.

"I actually made my debut against Boston last season with Butts in a back four," he said. "The season before that we played together the majority of the time in the reserves.

"We enjoy playing together. His strength in the air and my agility works well.

"It's unbelievable to play alongside someone like him. He is always talking to you and he never panics. Last Saturday was a massive game but he calms you down."

Butters' calming influence will be needed again on Sunday as Albion try to avenge their unfortunate 1-0 defeat at Portman Road in November.

"Joe Royle spoke to Mark McGhee the next day," Butters said. "He had all the stats of the game and they showed it was the first time this season that any team had more possession and more chances than Ipswich.

"Unfortunately the result went against us but we gave a good account of ourselves and should have been awarded a couple of penalties.

"If we produce the same sort of performance this time we'll be pleased, although hopefully the result will be different."