2019-20 Premier League: Week Seven – Chelsea vs Brighton

Chelsea welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard’s Blues look to continue their climb up the Premier League table.

A win for Chelsea could lift them into the European placings whilst Brighton look to leapfrog their hosts and move away from the drop.

 

Team news

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Oliver Giroud could return for Chelsea after illness ruled him out of their last two matches. 

Emerson (thigh), Andreas Christensen, Marco van Ginkel (both knee), Antonio Rudiger (groin) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) are all ruled out.  

Brighton could have Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Neal Maupay available after the pair overcame respective muscular and knee injuries. 

Bernardo (knee) and Solly March (hamstring) however are set to be out for another week but could be available to face Tottenham next Saturday. 

Leandro Trossard (groin), Ezequiel Schelotto, Jose Izquierdo (both knee), Leon Balogun (muscle) and Shane Duffy (calf) are all ruled out. 

 

Form

Chelsea’s four league match run was ended last Sunday as they fell to defeat against Liverpool, although they then ran riot in midweek against Grimsby with a 7-1 victory which still left them without a single clean sheet in all competitions this season. 

Brighton haven’t taken a league win since the opening day with three draws and two defeats since then, without scoring in their last two such away trips.

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea are unbeaten in 11 of 12 previous meetings with Brighton in all competitions (W10, D1).
• In four previous Premier League meetings, Chelsea have scored 11 goals and conceded just once.
• Summer departure – Eden Hazard scored in both clashes with the Seagulls last season.
• Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mat Ryan of Brighton have both made just one punch in their six matches.
• Neither of Chelsea or Brighton’s top scorers are yet to make an assist this season.

 

Prediction

It’s getting harder to predict Chelsea because they’re so inconsistent which is frustrating, especially because they were so fearsome on Wednesday although that was against League Two opposition. 

Brighton will be a sterner test this time though but last season’s attacking deficiencies seem to be returning although I do fancy both teams to score given Chelsea’s defensive wobbles. 

I however have to go for a home win because of Brighton’s poor form against Chelsea. 

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Result: Chelsea 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion