Brighton vs Chelsea tips and predictions: In-form Blues fuelled by European ambitions
Chelsea will be looking to boost their continental qualification hopes when they travel to Brighton for a Wednesday night Premier League clash (1945 BST).
Mauricio Pochettino appears to have added some spice to his billion-pound soup and the pan is finally beginning to sizzle.
Chelsea have only lost one of their last 13 Premier League games and will be looking for their fourth consecutive victory when they travel to Brighton.
The Blues have scored 10 goals across their last three matches and have kept two clean sheets in order to make a late push for Europe.
Pochettino’s men are locked on 57 points with sixth-placed Newcastle, meaning Europa League football is well within reach.
Brighton have not enjoyed similar fortunes. The south-coast side have picked up just one win from their last eight Premier League matches.
The club have been steadily dropping down the standings and could yet end the season as low as 13th – a disappointing effort considering how strong they looked at the start of the campaign.
Injuries have not helped the Seagulls and unlike their billion-dollar rivals, Roberto De Zerbi doesn’t have a blank cheque at his disposal.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s encounter, all signs point to an away victory. Chelsea are the form team and they will be motivated by European ambitions.
Brighton, meanwhile, haven’t got much to play for bar a slightly higher Premier League finish.
The Seagulls are still missing a number of key players and they will struggle to keep their determined rivals at bay.
Our recommendation is to back Chelsea. The Blues to win and both teams to score is the way to go.
Team news
Brighton head into this fixture without Pervis Estupinan, Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, Solomon March, James Milner, Kaoru Mitoma and Joel Veltman.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be missing Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.
Key stats
- Chelsea lost 4-1 in their last visit to Brighton
- Brighton are looking to avoid their third straight defeat to Chelsea
- Chelsea have only won their final away league game in one of their last six seasons
- Brighton have won just one of their last eight Premier League games
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 13 league games
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