Chelsea vs Brighton Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H
Chelsea vs Brighton Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & H2H. An in-form Enzo Maresca Chelsea host one of four unbeaten teams left in the Premier League this season on Saturday as they welcome Brighton & Hove Abion to Stamford Bridge.
After a shoddy pre-season tour and opening weekend defeat to the champions Man City, Enzo Maresca’s Blues seem to have found their footing earlier than expected, as they 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 defeated 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, and getting the better of Enzo Maresca’s Blues this weekend.
Hurzeler’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by counter-attacking specialists Nottingham Forest at the Amex last weekend.
Here’s how we preview today’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Abion.
What time does Chelsea vs Brighton kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Date: Saturday 28 September
Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Michael Oliver
Chelsea vs Brighton H2H Record (Last Five Games);
Chelsea: 3 wins
Brighton: 2 wins
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (15 May 2024) – Premier League
Chelsea team news;
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 likely to be named on the bench today, after overcoming a thigh issue.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brighton
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Brighton team news;
Joao Pedro having suffered a knock as of late, head coach Hurzeler has 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
Brighton predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Chelsea vs Brighton score prediction;
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.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Brighton
