Chelsea vs Brighton Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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Quite surprisingly given the mess off the pitch, Chelsea are enjoying what is now an impressive start to the 2024/25 season across all competitions as they take on a Brighton and Hove Albion side that are currently unbeaten so far this season.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 28th September, 2024 - UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock
CHELSEA PREVIEW: SINGING THE BLUES
Chelsea come into this one on the back of a 5-0 demolition of League Two side Barrow at Stamford Bridge in the third round of the EFL Cup. Christopher Nkunku, who starred in their successful UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round tie against Servette last month, notched a hat-trick in that match.
Enzo Maresca’s side have returned from the September international break with back-to-back victories in the Premier League. They edged past AFC Bournemouth by a goal to nil with an Nkunku winner before then hammering West Ham United by three goals to nil with Nicolas Jackson scoring an impressive first-half brace.
BRIGHTON PREVIEW: SEAGULLS STILL SOARING
31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history and is in charge of a Brighton and Hove Albion side that spent over £200 million in the summer transfer window so there were a few question marks and a bit of pressure on the Seagulls ahead of this season.
The Seagulls are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions so far this season but they were left frustrated in each of their two games since the aforementioned September international break, being held to back-to-back draws by Ipswich Town and the Nottingham Forest at the AMEX Stadium.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS: LAVIA IS BACK
Former Manchester City and Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia has returned to full fitness and the Belgium midfielder is expected to be involved this weekend but a start is likelier to come in the UEFA Europa Conference League next week.
They have just one first-team injury issue with that being club captain Reece James and his return, as ever, is still unpredictable. Malo Gusto has returned to full fitness and played in midweek against Barrow.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
UNAVAILABLE: James (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS: JOAO PEDRO STILL OUT
As he was seemingly returning from injury, Brighton boss Hurzeler has confirmed that Joao Pedro will once again be unavailable for this one and he is unsure how long the Brazilian forward will be sidelined for.
As well as the former Watford man, Matt O'Riley remains injured with fellow new signing Brajan Gruda a doubt, whilst both James Milner and Solly March are out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
UNAVAILABLE: Milner (Injured), O'Riley (Injured), March (Injured), Joao Pedro (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Gruda (Injured)
CHELSEA VS BRIGHTON PREDICTION
Chelsea welcome a Brighton and Hove Albion side that may be a little concerned about their performances against Ipswich and Forest, albeit the Seagulls were probably the better side against the latter and definitely the better side against the former. A defeat, though, does feel around the corner and now they travel to a Chelsea side that look genuinely good and consistent for the first time in a while so a home win would still appear a good bet for this one.
CHELSEA VS BRIGHTON TIP: CHELSEA TO WIN
