Brighton v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Brighton host Chelsea at the AMEX on Tuesday night in the The sides met a month ago as Graham Potter’s team netted an injury-time equalizer after a superb performance. The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League against the Seagulls and need to bounce back after their weekend defeat to Man City.

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Brighton Form

The Seagulls sit ninth in the table, nine points off the top four. After winning four of their first five matches this season, they went on an 11-match winless run (albeit with eight draws). Four of their draws in that run saw Brighton score very late to rescue a point.

Since then, Potter has his side on a four-match winless run. They beat Brentford 2-0 in a grudge match before dominating 40 minutes to make a point at Stamford Bridge (outshooting Chelsea 14-0 in one period of the match) with another late goal. They then won 3-2 at Everton before another late goal (87’) to draw 1-1 at home with Crystal Palace.

Brighton Team News

Brighton is without Yves Bissouma in midfield as he is at the AFCON. Lewis Dunk is nearing a return in defence but this one may come too soon. Enock Mwepu and Adam Lallana could also be absent in midfield for the Seagulls.

Danny Welbeck is pushing to start this one having scored against Chelsea in December.

Brighton Motivation

Brighton switched to a back three against Chelsea in the reverse fixture. They played on the front foot and tried to win and this match will no different, especially at home.

A draw would not be a terrible result by any means but the Seagulls won’t settle for one at any stage.

Chelsea Form

The Blues lost 1-0 Man City in their last match, their first defeat since the same result against the same opponents in September. Across all competitions, Chelsea has lost just twice in 25 matches but is defending poorly – one clean sheet in ten matches in the Premier League.

After a strong response to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool, Chelsea beat Spurs 3-0 in aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-final. They won 2-0 at home and 1-0 away against Tottenham.

Chelsea Team News

Tuchel remains without five players. Edouard Mendy is at the AFCON and starting wingbacks Ben Chilwell and Reece James are out long-term. Andreas Christensen has COVID-19 and Trevor Chalobah is nursing a thigh injury, reducing defensive options.

Some changes to the lineup are expected with Kai Havertz expected to start, either alongside Romelu Lukaku or in place of him. Mason Mount and Jorginho are also likely to return to the XI. Kenedy has been recalled to boost wingback depth and he could make the bench.

Chelsea Motivation

Tuchel could use a back five or go to a back four with four attackers on the pitch (in a 4-2-2-2 setup). If it’s the latter shape, it will be a more attacking approach.

Chelsea wants to bounce back to win this match and will be very motivated to do so after their defeat to Man City.

Key Stats

Brighton have lost 1 of their last 8 PL matches (D5, W2)

Brighton have won 1 of their last 7 home PL matches (D4, L2)

BHAFC are winless in 9 matches vs Chelsea (L6, D3)

Brighton’s last 7 matches vs CFC have seen a 4-18 aggregate

Chelsea have lost 2 of their 25 matches in all comps

CFC have lost 2 of their last 16 PL matches (D6)

Chelsea have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 10 PL matches

Verdict

Chelsea is hard to beat but so are Brighton, who is an excellent team. A draw looks like very good value for this match.