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
Head to Head Record
29/10/22
FT: Brighton 4-1 Chelsea
19/01/22
FT: Brighton 1-1 Chelsea
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.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly suffered a hamstring injury against Real Madrid, and Lampard has revealed that the Senegal international will be out for “weeks.” Armando Broja (knee) is gone for the season, while Carney Chukwuemeka (knock) is questionable.
Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Mason Mount all returned to the matchday squad in midweek after injury layoffs and will be available for selection against Brighton, as will Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and David Datro Fofana, who were all ruled ineligible to play in the Champions League.
N’Golo Kante might be dropped from the starting lineup as Lampard attempts to manage the Frenchman’s minutes after a protracted absence.
Brighton Team News
Levi Colwill is unable to play against his parent club, while Adam Lallana (thigh), Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle), and Jakub Moder (knee) are all injured.
Due to the absence of Colwill, who started against Spurs, Adam Webster will most likely be returned to the starting lineup to play with captain Lewis Dunk at centre-back.
Tariq Lamptey has missed the past six games in all competitions due to a knee injury and is still questionable; Joel Veltman is set to start at right-back if Lamptey is ruled out again.
Moises Caicedo and Alex MacAllister, as well as outstanding wingers Mitoma and Solly March, are anticipated to hold their positions in the starting lineup, with either Evan Ferguson or Danny Welbeck leading the line.
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
Watch it live on Sofascore.