Brighton vs Chelsea: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Chelsea's record against Brighton & Hove Albion should give them the psychological advantage in this game. They take on a Brighton side that will most certainly fancy their chances against Enzo Maresca's side. The Blues have won the last four meetings between the two teams, while the Seagulls have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last nine against the visitors.

The Seagulls could still be reeling from the damaging 7-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, with Chelsea having won a recent London derby against West Ham United (2-1). Expect goals in this fixture, as over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of the previous seven meetings between the two teams - adding to this neither side has kept a clean sheet in their last three – Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

Brighton host Chelsea in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, with both sides fancying their chances of a deep cup run and advancing from this all Premier League affair.

Date: 08/02/25

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Amex Stadium

The hosts Brighton have been left reeling following an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest last week, and should look at the FA Cup as a welcome distraction. After a strong start to the season, things have started to unravel for the Seagulls, who now find themselves in 10th position and at risk of falling behind further. Their form has been so poor, they have won just twice in their last 13 games, though one of these victories came in this competition. They beat Championship side Norwich 4-0 away from home to set up this tie with Chelsea.

It has been a similar story for the Blues, whose recent form has taken them out of the title race and into a battle for the Champions League spots. They have won just two games in the league since the middle of December, both at Stamford Bridge. Their other victory since the turn of the year was a 5-0 win over Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup.

Goals should be a feature in this fixture, particularly with the struggles of both defences. Largely skewed by their disaster showing at Forest, Brighton have conceded nine in their last three, and have kept just three clean sheets in their last 18.

This should give Chelsea confidence, a side amongst the league’s top scorers. However, most have come from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, who have combined for 23 goals this season. They will need to get production elsewhere if they are to succeed going forward.

At the other end, Enzo Maresca’s team have shown frailties of late. They have kept only one clean sheet in seven, that coming against Morecambe. Against a forward line with plenty of talent of their own, expect both sides to get on the scoresheet.

These two sides have met 11 times in all competitions since 2020. Chelsea have got the better of Brighton in five of these games, losing twice and drawing four. They are on a hot streak against their opponents, winning each of the last four meetings, though this did follow a five-game winless run. The league fixture earlier this season ended 4-2 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. All the goals came in the first half, with all four of the hosts’ strikes coming from Palmer.

Brighton vs Chelsea will be available to watch on ITV4.

Brighton

Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner are nearing returns, though this game should come a week too soon. The Seagulls could be given a boost with the returns of Pervis Estupinan, Solly March and Mats Wieffer. Carlos Baleba missed out last weekend with a small muscle injury, and his availability for this game is in question.

Chelsea

Chelsea have no new injury concerns heading into this one, but could rotate with second string players given a chance such as young striker Marc Guiu. Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile both remain out but could make a return sometime this month. Wesley Fofana is ruled out long-term.

Brighton

In their last five games, Brighton have won three and lost two. Overall, it has been a solid stretch for the Seagulls, but recent results have suggested a downwards trend. The latest was a crushing 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. The hosts took a 3-0 lead into half-time, before running away with it in the second half.

This followed another loss in the Premier League at home to Everton. Iliman Ndiaye scored the winning goal from the penalty spot just before half-time. There were few clear-cut chances for either side, with both managing just one shot on target each. A trip to Old Trafford resulted in an impressive 3-1 win. Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter were on the scoresheet.

Relegation strugglers Ipswich were on the end of a 2-0 home defeat by Brighton. Both goals were scored in the second half by Mitoma and Rutter. The first game of this run saw FA Cup action as they advanced to the fourth round with a 4-0 win at Norwich City. Rutter (x2), Julio Enciso and Solly March were the goalscorers.

Chelsea

In their last five games, Chelsea have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a decent stretch for Chelsea, though they dropped some disappointing points. The first game of this run came in the FA Cup, where they comfortably beat lower league side Morecambe 5-0. Tosin Adarabioyo (x2), Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix (x2) were on the scoresheet.

A Premier League home game against Bournemouth followed, in which they required late heroics from Reece James to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw. Cole Palmer had given them the lead, before the Cherries turned it around. James converted a stoppage time free-kick to ensure the points were shared.

Another home game saw a long-awaited league win, as they beat Wolves 3-1. The visitors cancelled out an Adarabioyo opener on the stroke of half-time, but second half strikes from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke secured the win. They were on the wrong end of the same scoreline at Man City, despite taking the lead early through Madueke. Last time out, they hosted West Ham, ­­­­­­­­coming from behind to win 2-1. A Levi Colwill error allowed Jarrod Bowen to put the visitors in front, but Pedro Neto found the equaliser before an own goal completed the turnaround.

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