Brighton vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Brighton and Hove Albion will believe they have an excellent chance of a top four finish as they now welcome a struggling Chelsea side to the south coast.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Universo
Brighton preview: Soaring Seagulls
Brighton come into this one on the back of twice fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in north London, with Georginio Rutter scoring a last-gasp equaliser in second-half stoppage-time to earn a point.
Fabian Hurzeler was under pressure about a month and a half or so ago but the Seagulls have enjoyed some excellent form of late with five victories and a draw in their last seven matches in the Premier League.
Chelsea preview: Struggling Chelsea
Chelsea have been woeful for a while now and Liam Rosenior is appearing to a man struggling to get to grips with the size of his job as the Blues struggle to hold on to their hopes of achieving UEFA Champions League qualification this season.
The Blues' most recent outing saw them succumb to a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United due to a 63rd minute strike scored by versatile Brazil international attacker Matheus Cunha at Stamford Bridge.
Brighton team news: Several injuries
In his pre-match press conference, Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Brighton will be without trio James Milner, Solly March and Diego Gomez due to injury.
Kaoru Mitoma, who came on and scored against Spurs, is fit. The Seagulls do have other longer-term absentees, such as Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Ayari, Gross; Minteh, Hinshelwood, Mitoma; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), Milner (Injured), March (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Tzimas (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea team news: Fresh issues
Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Joao Pedro was ‘touch and go’ for clash with United but there is hope the Brazilian will be back to face his former club this midweek.
It looks as though Estevao has sustained a hamstring injury that could see him out for a while, while Enzo Fernandez is also a doubt after picking up a calf issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro
Unavailable: Jorgensen (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Gittens (Injured), Estevao (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: James (Injured), Fernandez (Fitness), Pedro (Injured)
Brighton vs Chelsea prediction
Chelsea have now endured four successive defeats in the league, having been battered 8-2 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea have beaten ten teams under Rosenior and four of those victories have come against EFL sides. Brighton are a step up and a step up that, at the moment, seems way beyond the visitors and siding with the Seagulls is the way to go for this one on Tuesday night at the AMEX Stadium.
Brighton vs Chelsea tip: Double chance - Brighton to win or draw
