It is premier league football once again for two sides that took down their EFL cup opponents in midweek although in contrasting manners.
Chelsea struggled to see off league one side Lincoln City while Brighton thumped another league one side 6 goals without a reply.
Match preview
The club world cup champions Chelsea had to overcome a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1. That was their fourth consecutive match they had conceded first in all competitions.
The blues will look to get back in winning ways after last weekend’s epic 2-1 loss to Manchester United. The loss ensured Chelsea’s unbeaten run came to an end thanks to a red card and 6 yellow cards shown to the Chelsea team with Enzo Maresca getting one himself.
Nevertheless, Chelsea is unbeaten in their last twelve premier league home matches with their last loss in the Stamford Bridge coming against London rivals Fulham on December 26, 2024, and keeping seven clean sheets in that timeframe.
Brighton was in imperious form when they faced Barnsley in the EFL cup third round with Diego Gomez scoring four goals in the 6-0 victory. That was their second away win in all competitions with the first being a 6-0 away win against Oxford United in round two of the EFL cup.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have been unable to replicate the same performance in the league with 0 away win so far this season in the premier league. Their performance in the league has been poor with just a win after five games and throwing away a 2-0 lead with Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
They will be buoyed by the fact that they won twice out of the three meetings with the blues last season with both wins coming back-to-back.
Team News
Robert Sanchez red card against Manchester United has been served in their midweek clash against Lincoln City and is available for the first team squad.
Cole Palmer is out with a recurring Groin injury and won’t be back till after international break. Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Liam Delap, and Dario Essugo are still out with varying degrees of injuries.
Buonanotte is not eligible to face his parent club on Saturday due to his loan status.
Brighton has their own injury share with Jake Hinshelwood, Solly March and Adam Webster the only absentees.
Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that Mats Wieffer and Maxim De Cuyper will return to the squad.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Hato, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Gittens, Estevao, Neto; Pedro
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Gruda, Mitoma; Rutter
Prediction
Chelsea are not in their best shape right now with their recent form that has seen them concede eight goals in their last 4 games compared to just one in their first 3 games. They have seen a drop in their goals too with six goals in their last 4 games compared to seven in their first 3 games.
They face a Brighton side that has conceded in all premier league matches with their only cleansheets coming against lower league teams in the EFL cup.
The game look balanced with Chelsea defensive woes and absence of star player Cole Palmer then Brighton leaky defense.
I say Chelsea 2 – 2 Brighton