Brighton vs Chelsea Preview

• Draw
• Both teams to score

Just six days after their FA Cup fourth-round clash, Brighton and Chelsea meet again at the Amex Stadium, this time in the Premier League.

After Brighton’s 2-1 win in the cup, the Seagulls will be aiming for a repeat performance, while Chelsea will be determined to bounce back and strengthen their top-four bid.

Brighton: Aiming for League Redemption

Despite their FA Cup success over Chelsea, Brighton have endured a tough run in the Premier League, winning just two of their last ten league matches (W2, D4, L4).

Their last league outing—a 7-0 hammering at Nottingham Forest—was their worst defeat in recent memory, and manager Fabian Hürzeler will demand a big reaction at home.

Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)

• Brighton 2-1 Chelsea (FA Cup) – W
• Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton (Premier League) – L
• Brighton 1-0 Everton (Premier League) – W
• Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton (Premier League) – L
• Brighton 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League) – W

Concerns for Brighton

• Poor League Home Form: Winless in five consecutive home league matches (D3, L2).
• Defensive Fragility: Conceded 14 goals in their last five league matches.
• Inconsistency Against Big Teams: Beaten 7-0 by Nottingham Forest and lost both league meetings with Liverpool.

Key Player: Georginio Rutter

Rutter has ten goal contributions (7G, 3A) this season, including three against Chelsea (2G, 1A). He was instrumental in Brighton’s FA Cup win and will be a key attacking threat again.

Chelsea: Inconsistent but Fighting for Top Four

Chelsea remain fourth in the Premier League, but their form has dipped since Christmas, winning just two of their last seven league matches (W2, D2, L3).

Their away struggles continue, with no wins on the road since mid-December (D2, L3), a concern as their next seven away matches come against teams currently in the top 11.

Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)

• Chelsea 1-3 Wolves (Premier League) – L
• Brighton 2-1 Chelsea (FA Cup) – L
• Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa (Premier League) – W
• Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea (Premier League) – L
• Middlesbrough 6-2 Chelsea (EFL Cup) – L

Concerns for Chelsea

• Post-Christmas Slump: After a 12-match unbeaten run (W9, D3), Chelsea have won just 2 of their last 7 league matches.
• Defensive Struggles: Conceded 11 goals in their last five matches.
• Away Form Woes: No away wins since December, with their last away league victory coming against Crystal Palace.

Key Player: Cole Palmer

Palmer scored four goals in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Brighton in the reverse fixture and was also on target at the Amex last season. Chelsea will rely on his creativity and goal-scoring ability to turn their fortunes around.

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in All Competitions)

• 27/01/25 – Brighton 2-1 Chelsea (FA Cup)
• 03/12/24 – Chelsea 4-2 Brighton (Premier League)
• 15/04/23 – Chelsea 1-2 Brighton (Premier League)
• 29/10/22 – Brighton 4-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
• 18/01/22 – Brighton 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Trends & Key Stats

• Brighton have won two of the last three H2Hs.
• Chelsea won 4-2 in the reverse league fixture in December.
• Brighton have NOT beaten Chelsea at home in the league since 2022.

Tactical Insights

Brighton’s Approach

• Use home advantage to dominate possession.
• Exploit Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities with quick transitions.
• Target Chelsea’s weak away form and pressure early.

Chelsea’s Strategy

• Stay compact defensively to avoid conceding early.
• Use Palmer and Madueke to break Brighton’s defensive line.
• Control midfield to disrupt Brighton’s passing rhythm.

Prediction and Final Thoughts

Both teams are struggling for consistency, but Brighton’s FA Cup win over Chelsea will give them confidence. Chelsea, on the other hand, desperately need to bounce back to maintain their top-four push.

Predicted Scoreline: Brighton 2-2 Chelsea

• Brighton’s attacking quality at home should see them score.
• Chelsea’s desperation for a win will push them forward.
• Expect an open, high-scoring game with plenty of chances.

Conclusion

With both teams eager to bounce back, this Premier League clash promises entertainment. Brighton will look to capitalise on their FA Cup momentum, while Chelsea must find an answer to their poor away form. Expect goals, drama, and an intense battle under the Amex lights!

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Brighton v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League