Prediction: Brighton vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win & under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 27/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to make an immediate return to winning ways in midweek, Chelsea will travel to the Amex on Tuesday night when they meet Brighton.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, while Brighton might have managed to snatch a late point against rivals Crystal Palace last week, Graham Potter’s men will know that they deserved to leave the Amex with more to show. However, although the Seagulls might have gained a reputation as somewhat of a stalemate specialist, they have continued to impress many across the Premier League this season. Still battling it out in the top-half of the table, the one-time Swansea boss does find his side enjoying a five-match unbeaten run across all formats. Likewise, along with extending their FA Cup adventure away at Championship outfit West Brom, it should be noted that Brighton have lost just one of their last nine contests, a run that stems back to November 20th. Snatching a last-gasp point at Stamford Bridge when signing off 2021, Potter’s men will be desperate to pull off an upset here.

Team News

Brighton are hopeful that central defender Lewis Dunk will be able to make his return from a knee injury on Tuesday night.

However, picking up a knock against Crystal Palace last time out, the Seagulls are sweating over the fitness of Adam Lallana.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have booked their spot in the final of this year’s EFL Cup last week, the Blues certainly came crashing back down to earth last time out. Knowing that they had one final chance to keep themselves in the Premier League title chase, Thomas Tuchel’s men were hit with a deserved 1-0 loss away at Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime. Opening up the midweek fixtures now sat 13 points adrift of the defending champions, the former PSG boss will be seeking an immediate boost here. Eventually claiming a 3-0 aggregate romp against Spurs earlier in the month, the west London outfit have shown some minor signs of a struggle over the past six weeks. It should be noted, Tuesday’s guests have managed to win just one of their previous six Premier League matchups, a run that stems back to December 11th.

Team News

Chelsea will once again be without the likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Andreas Christensen and Trevor Chalobah on Tuesday night.

Likewise, away with Senegal at this year’s AFCON, Edouard Mendy will once again be replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tuesday’s opponents faced off at Stamford Bridge last month, they played out a 1-1 draw.
• Likewise, four of the last five meetings between Brighton and Chelsea have finished in a draw.
• Chelsea have managed to win just one of their last six Premier League matchups, a run that stems back to December 11th.
• Brighton have lost just one of their last nine matchups across all formats.
• Four of Chelsea’s last five matchups on the road have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might open Tuesday’s meeting as a standout pick with the bookmakers, Tuchel will know that his side could face another tough test here. Suffering a deserved 1-0 defeat away at Manchester City over the weekend, the Blues have managed to win just one of their last six Premier League matchups on what has been a downbeat domestic blip. Having to settle for a last-gasp point at home against Brighton last month, the Seagulls have continued to impress many across the Premier League this season. In fact, playing out a draw in four of their last five meetings against Chelsea, some around the Amex might be smelling a chance. However, although we do expect Tuesday’s guests to claim maximum points, we could have a low-scoring affair on our hands here.

Verdict: Chelsea win & under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 27/20

Bookmaker: Unibet