Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion will be eager to go back to winning ways when they meet in the Premier League on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
For several months in the top level, the two sides have had contrasting streaks of play, with the Blues winning just four of their past 21 games and the Seagulls losing only four of their last 18.
MATCH INFO
Chelsea vs Brighton
DATE: 15 Apr 2023
TIME: 14:00 UTC
VENUE: Stamford Bridge stadium, London city, England
Chelsea vs Brighton Preview
Chelsea have failed to score in four consecutive matches across all competitions for the first time since 1993, with their latest toothless performance coming on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in a 2-0 defeat with 10 men against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Los Blancos took control of the tie thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio either side of Ben Chilwell’s expulsion, and the West Londoners have a lot to do in the return match at Stamford Bridge next week.
Chelsea’s greatest hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League is an unlikely Champions League success, as they remain in 11th position in the Premier League rankings, 17 points below the top four.
Brighton will be hoping for better fortunes in their second trip to London after a slew of contentious VAR rulings went against them in a 2-1 loss to European rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Handball denied the Seagulls two goals, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg certainly tripped Kaoru Mitoma within the penalty area, but on-field referee Stuart Attwell waived aside protests. VAR also chose not to intervene, and the PGMOL has already agreed that Brighton should have received a penalty kick for the challenge on Mitoma.
Following a violent altercation with Spurs manager Cristian Stellini, who was also expelled, Roberto De Zerbi was sent off, and the Brighton head coach is eager to put their disappointment behind.
Possible Lineups
Chelsea Predicted Starting XI:
Kepa; James, W. Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Fernandez, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Felix
Brighton Predicted Starting XI:
Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson