Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea
Date: 16/12/2018
K/O: 13.30
Venue: Amex Stadium
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Brighton host a resurgent Chelsea who are fresh from inflicting the first defeat of the season on Manchester City with a fantastic outing at Stamford Bridge last week, whereas Brighton come into this game having missed out on a third straight victory when they lost 1-0 away to Burnley.
The West Londoners will seek to retain their fourth place standing in the Premier League with Arsenal hot on their heels; Unai Emery’s side face Southampton on Sunday. After last week’s shock win against City it is vital that Chelsea keep this momentum going forward in order to maintain their credentials as serious title contenders. If they put in one good shift and then can’t follow it up, it would be fair to throw the label inconsistent at Sarri’s squad.
Brighton meanwhile are sitting comfortably in 13th but are seven points clear of Cardiff in 14th. Many thought that they would be the whipping boys of the league this year but Chris Hughton has turned them into a sturdy Premier League team that on their day are capable of beating anyone.
Team News
Brighton are without the banned Shane Duffy this weekend, but apart from that they seem to have a relatively fully fit squad from which to pick. However, Izquierdo is only 75% certain to play, but as the opposition is Chelsea I imagine he may squeeze a place on the bench.
The back four will need to be as solid as humanely possible against a motivated and resurgent Chelsea attack looking to run them into the ground. Bruno at right back especially will need to be on his toes with Eden Hazard running at him all afternoon on Sunday.
Chelsea also have a more or less fully fit team to pick from. One imagines it would be the same line up that started against Manchester City, but with an out and out striker rather than a False 9, as the hope is they won’t have to be so defensive this time out.
Perhaps that means dropping Pedro to the bench and bringing Morata back in with Willian and Hazard either side. That leaves questions around the midfield and the defence. Loftus-Cheek has been in sparkling form recently but after starting midweek in the Europa League he may be rested on Sunday with Mateo Kovacic deputising in central midfield.
As for the defence, Luiz has been shakey in recent weeks but last time out against Manchester City he was back to his sparkling best. One imagines he would stay in the centre of defence alongside Rudiger with Azpilicueta and Alonso alongside.
Predicted Starting XIs
Brighton: (4-4-1-1) Ryan: Bruno, Balogun, Dunk, Bernando; Knockaert, Propper, Bissouma, Solly March; Gross; Murray.
Chelsea: (4-3-3) Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek; Willian, Morata, Hazard.
Prediction: Brighton 0 Chelsea 3
I don’t think this will be much of a contest. Brighton may well have their moments but Chelsea will just be too strong. They are a resurgent team and with a strong victory in midweek, they will be riding on a huge wave of momentum. I’m sorry Brighton fans, but maybe it’s good that this one isn’t on TV.
