Chelsea vs Brighton: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Chelsea's recent upturn in form gives the edge in what should be a competitive game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Chelsea have seemingly turned a corner under Enzo Maresca in the last three games, remaining unbeaten. The Blues have been the first to score in their last six. In their meetings against Brighton, they have won their previous four, with Brighton without a clean sheet in their last eight.

Chelsea scored the first in four of their previous five meetings with Brighton, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of the previous six. Chelsea recorded a league double over Brighton last season, with a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge and a 2-1 win at the AMEX. Brighton and Hove Albion’s away record is less than desirable, with only one win in their previous seven league games.

A Chelsea home win should be on the cards here. Brighton’s away record doesn’t bode well for the Seagulls, and thus, we are predicting a 2-1 win for Enzo Maresca’s resurgent Chelsea side.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

Chelsea hosts Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, with the Blues looking to continue their upward trend under Enzo Maresca. Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella face a visit from their former employers at Stamford Bridge.

Date: 28/09/2024
Location: Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off: 3 pm

Chelsea faced a turbulent summer on and off the pitch with financial implications, potentially hampering any success the Blues may have for the upcoming season. Mauricio Pochettino was removed from his role and replaced by Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, with question marks surrounding the former understudy of Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea began their campaign with a visit from Champions Manchester City, in which Pep Guardiola’s side were comfortable 2-0 winners - most notably thanks to a goal from former Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic. Since the opening game, Chelsea have found their rhythm under the guidance of Enzo Maresca and have followed up with three wins from their last four league games. One of the more notable performances was the 6-2 victory over Wolves. Cole Palmer was a creative influence for the Blues, with three assists and a goal to heap misery on Gary O’Neil’s side. A win for Chelsea over Brighton and Hove Albion would indeed move Chelsea into the top four at this early season stage.

Brighton and Hove Albion have enjoyed life under Fabian Hürzeler as his Brighton side remains unbeaten after opening five Premier League games. The former St.Pauli manager has adapted brilliantly to life in England as the Premier League’s youngest-ever manager, ending August with the Manager of the Month award. One of the more notable results was a last-minute win against Manchester United.

The Seagulls, however, have become draw specialists in their recent Premier League games, with three consecutive draws in a row against the likes of Arsenal, Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest. Danny Welbeck has been inspired this season, with four-goal contributions in five games.

The previous game at Stamford Bridge between the two teams resulted in a 3-2 victory over Brighton for the Blues. A brace from Enzo Fernandez and a strike from former Brighton loanee Levi Colwill were enough for Pochettino’s Chelsea to secure three points.

The game will not be shown on TV.

Predicted Chelsea Eleven: Sanchez, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.

Predicted Brighton Eleven: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck

The recent history between the two clubs would place Enzo Maresca’s side as the favourites for this match. The Blues have won their previous four against Brighton and Hove Albion, with the visitors failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight against Chelsea. Chelsea have scored the first in this fixture in four of the previous five.

As mentioned, Chelsea is in impressive form, having won their last three in all competitions and have been unbeaten in their previous four Premier League games since the opening day defeat to Manchester City. The Blues have kept three clean sheets in their last three games against Bournemouth, West Ham and Barrow, most recently in the Carabao Cup. Maresca’s side are also unbeaten in their previous three home fixtures across all competitions.

In their most recent league game, Chelsea were excellent in a triumphant London derby victory over West Ham United. Nicolas Jackson scored in the first five minutes, following a magnificent solo run from the Senegalese forward. Jackson made it two shortly after, as the Blues took control of proceedings. Cole Palmer made it three just after half-time to round off a tremendous victory for Chelsea.

Since the arrival of Fabian Hürzeler, the Seagulls have rectified their form from last season, in which they ended the campaign with one win in their last five - one of their losses towards the end of last season was a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Brighton has remained unbeaten in all seven games across all competitions this season, and they have also progressed to the next round of the Carabao Cup, along with Chelsea.

In their most recent league fixture, Brighton was held to a 2-2 draw at home against Nottingham Forest. Chris Wood gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot 13 minutes in until academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood equalised with a terrific header. Danny Welbeck scored his third in five league games with an expertly taken free-kick before the half-time interval. Forest grabbed an equaliser through Ramon Sosa; however, they were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Morgan Gibbs-White.

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