Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
Hoping to widen their top-four buffer and start the New Year on a high, Chelsea will make the trip to the Amex on Wednesday lunchtime.
Brighton
Starting with the hosts, while Brighton may have continued to show some worrying inconsistencies during December, the Seagulls put in arguably a season-best display over the weekend. Hugely outplaying a struggling Bournemouth and fully deserving of their 2-0 victory, Head Coach Graham Potter is desperate to build off of that win. Still sat just two points adrift of breaking into the top half of the Premier League standings, fans around the Amex will be looking for leading marksman and summer signing Neal Maupay to lead their charge in midweek. The former Brentford striker has been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than any other Brighton player, scoring seven and assisting one. While the mood on the South Coast could be on the rise, the Seagulls do hold a rather concerning record against Wednesday’s guests. Hit with a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge back in September, Chelsea have won all nine of their league meetings with Brighton.
Team News
Brighton head coach Graham Potter has reported no new fitness concerns.
Wingers Solly March and Jose Izquierdo remain unavailable because of injuries.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while they may have left it extremely late on Sunday, Chelsea picked up a 2-1 win away at the Emirates and Frank Lampard was full of praise for his youthful side. Making a much-needed return to winning ways after their shock 2-0 defeat against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, the former champions once again hold a four-point buffer from losing their top-four status. Although the former England midfielder has seen his men struggle in West London, the Blues appear to be back to saving their best performances for on the road. Now grabbing back-to-back victories over both Arsenal and Tottenham, Wednesday’s guests have won seven of their past nine league away games. One starlet in particular who has saved his best performances for outside of Stamford Bridge is leading marksman Tammy Abraham. Finding the net at the Emirates over the weekend, the now fully-fledged England international has seen eight of his 12 Premier League strikes come on the road.
Team News
Chelsea will monitor Cesar Azpilicueta, who has been playing despite a minor problem, while fellow defenders Marcos Alonso and Reece James are not expected to be fit for this game.
Key Factors to Consider
- Chelsea have won all nine of their previous matches against Brighton, including a 2-0 win back in September.
- Eight of Tammy Abraham’s 12 Premier League goals this season have come away from Stamford Bridge.
- Chelsea have won seven of their last nine top-flight matches on the road.
- Brighton striker Neal Maupay has been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than any other
- Brighton player, scoring seven and assisting one.
- However, Brighton have won just one of their last four matches at the Amex.
Conclusion
While Chelsea might not have been at their best in North London over the weekend, Frank Lampard’s side have now picked up back-to-back victories over Tottenham and Arsenal on the road. Given their stellar record against the Seagulls, a run that has seen them win all nine of their previous meetings against Wednesday’s hosts, we’re backing the former champions to come away with all three points in what could be a lively encounter.
Verdict: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
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