Top four chasing Chelsea welcome relegation battling Brighton & Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge for a huge Premier League clash.
Should Tottenham lose to Crystal Palace, Chelsea can move fourth with victory although Spurs still have one additional game in hand.
Brighton meanwhile can leapfrog Newcastle into 14th and move eight points clear of the drop, were they to win and Cardiff lose at Manchester City.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesMarcos Alonso is ruled out for Chelsea with a hamstring strain so will be rested ahead of Monday’s clash with West Ham.
Davide Zappacosta is available after recovering from an ankle injury as Marco van Ginkel (ACL) and Ethan Ampadu (back) remain long-term absentees.
Brighton could have Pascal Gross (hamstring) and Florian Andone (groin/hamstring) available if pass late fitness tests.
Goalkeeper, Jason Steele is still sidelined with a wrist injury.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are on a nine match winning streak against Brighton and unbeaten in last 10 meetings (W9, D1).
- Solly March’s goal in December’s clash at the Amex was Brighton’s first goal in this fixture since September 1983.
- Brighton are yet to score at Stamford Bridge, having drawn blanks in four previous trips.
- Eden Hazard has made a league high 11 assists so far this season, seven more than he managed in entirety of last season.
- Brighton have scored 32 goals so far in 30 games, two less than their 34 goals throughout whole of last season.
Prediction
Chelsea were very lucky to win on Sunday but Brighton won’t be as lenient as Cardiff were defensively.
Throw in the fact that the Seagulls have scored twice in each of their last four trips to London across all competitions, I am expecting a tough test here for the Blues even if Brighton are yet to score at the Bridge as something has got to give.
A draw therefore would be tempting but I fancy Chelsea to scrape another win.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jake predicts: Chelsea 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
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