Chelsea vs Brighton: Preview, predictions and lineups
An in-form Chelsea host one of four unbeaten teams left in the Premier League on Saturday as Brighton visit Stamford Bridge.
After a shoddy pre-season and opening weekend defeat to the champions, Enzo Maresca’s Blues have rattled off a four-game unbeaten run to sit fifth in the league table through five games.
Chelsea’s confident start to the campaign continued with a 3-0 beatdown of West Ham last week and 5-0 thumping of Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Brighton progressed into the fourth round of the aforementioned competition the week prior as they beat Wolves 3-2. The Seagulls are no strangers to fast Premier League starts, but Fabian Hurzeler will know that his side have to be at their very best to maintain their unbeaten opening to the new season this weekend.
Hurzeler’s side were held by counter-attacking specialists Nottingham Forest at the Amex last weekend.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Chelsea vs Brighton H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Chelsea |
Brighton |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 5-0 Barrow – 24/09/24 |
Brighton 2-2 Nottingham Forest – 22/09/24 |
|
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea – 21/09/24 |
Brighton 3-2 Wolves – 18/09/24 |
|
Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea – 14/09/24 |
Brighton 0-0 Ipswich Town – 14/09/24 |
|
Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace – 01/09/24 |
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton – 31/08/24 |
|
Servette 2-1 Chelsea – 29/08/24 |
Brighton 4-0 Crawley – 27/08/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Talksport 2 Radio (not televised) |
|
United States |
Peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada |
Chelsea’s deep squad allowed Maresca to make wholesale changes to his starting XI against Barrow and the Italian should revert to the side that downed West Ham last weekend. That means Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke will spearhead the Blues‘ frontline against the Seagulls.
Malo Gusto returned from injury on Tuesday night and is in contention to return to the Premier League XI on Saturday. Reece James remains out with a hamstring injury.
Romeo Lavia is unlikely to feature with a thigh issue.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
A knock has limited Joao Pedro as of late and Hurzeler confirmed the Brazilian has not recovered in time to face Chelsea on Saturday.
Pedro remains sidelined along with new arrival Matt O’Riley, Solly March and veteran James Milner.
Brajan Gruda has missed the start of the 2024/25 season with an unspecified injury, but the summer arrival could finally make Brighton’s matchday squad this weekend. Yasin Ayari should also be back in action having recovered from an illness.
Brighton predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Chelsea are on the hunt for a fourth-straight win in all competitions, while Brighton are looking to go six games unbeaten at the start of a top-flight season for the first time ever. What’s going to give?
The Seagulls have shown some vulnerabilities in recent outings and the absence of Joao Pedro is a big one despite Brighton’s collection of dynamic attackers. The visitors‘ speed and dynamism could trouble the hosts, but the confidence Maresca’s side are currently playing with means it’s hard to bet against them.
The Chelsea boss has displayed pragmatism and adaptability at the start of his reign in west London, with the Blues emerging as a dangerous counter-attacking force under the Italian. Brighton may enjoy more of the ball, but the hosts are likely to have plenty of success in transition on their way to a hard-fought victory.