Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Meeting for the second time in the space of a week, Brighton will welcome Chelsea to the Amex for a Premier League showdown on Friday night.
Brighton
Starting with the hosts, extending on their FA Cup adventure last weekend as they clinched a 2-1 victory against Chelsea, Brighton will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. However, coming under a huge amount of scrutiny earlier in the month as they opened February with an infamous 7-0 drumming at the hands of Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hurtzler’s side have continued to show some glaring inconsistencies over the past few months. Falling to a 1-0 defeat against relegation scrappers Everton last month, Brighton have won just a quartet of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions. Watching their European dreams take a major dent on either side of opening the New Year, the former St. Pauli boss will have a headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. In fact, Friday’s hosts have recorded just a pair of clean sheets against Premier League opposition from their last 18 attempts.
Brighton Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Brighton will once again be without the likes of James Milner, Solly March, Pervis Estupinan and Brazilian defender Igor. Recently returning from a muscle injury, academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood should make just a second Premier League start since the start of November.
Bagging an FA Cup strike against Chelsea last weekend and recording five goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, former Leeds talisman Georginio Rutter will be looking to extend on his tally.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have come flying out of the traps following Enzo Maresca’s arrival at Stamford Bridge last summer, the Blues are desperately seeking some kind of stability. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last weekend following that 2-1 loss away at the Amex, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous nine showdowns against Premier League opposition. Despite dragging themselves to a fortunate 2-1 victory against London rivals West Ham earlier in the month, Chelsea have shown their own respective defensive issues. Signing off January with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City, Friday’s guests have failed to record a clean sheet against top-flight opposition since December 22nd. Only just clinging onto a Champions League spot, Maresca’s side will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here.
Chelsea Team News
Dealing with another long-term muscle injury, Chelsea will once again be without French defender Wesley Fofana on Friday night. Likewise, dealing with yet another injury setback last month, former Manchester City starlet Romeo Lavia remains on the sidelines.
With Robert Sanchez enduring a public struggle in west London, Danish shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen should return between the sticks. While England international Cole Palmer might have failed to find the net in his last four appearances, the 22-year-old will have a leading role to play here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Brighton welcomed Chelsea to the Amex last weekend for an FA Cup showdown, the Seagulls collected a 2-1 victory at the Amex.
- Brighton have won just a quartet of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions.
- Friday’s hosts have recorded just a pair of clean sheets against Premier League opposition from their last 18 attempts.
- Chelsea have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns against Premier League opposition.
- Friday’s guests have seen all of their previous six meetings against top-flight opposition finish with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Extending on their FA Cup adventure last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 victory against Chelsea at the Amex, Brighton will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. However, with both camps showing their own glaring inconstancies, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller on Friday night. In fact, with nine of the previous 10 meetings between Brighton and Chelsea across all formats finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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