After an impressive 3-0 win away to West Ham, Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League fixture against Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion, who are winless in three consecutive Premier League matches.
Chelsea have won five of their eight matches across all competitions this season, including a dominant 5-0 victory over Barrow in the EFL Cup, with goals from Christopher Nkunku (3), Pedro Neto, and an own goal. This result extended their winning streak to three matches. Despite being the Premier League’s second-highest scorers with 11 goals (overperforming their xG of 8), they have struggled at home in the league, remaining winless with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
Brighton, on the other hand, are undefeated in all competitions this season but will be keen to end their winless run after three consecutive draws in the Premier League. They have won four out of eight games in all competitions this season, with three draws in their last four games including an entertaining 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Fabian Hurzeler will be wary of Brighton’s poor away record having won two games in nine away matches in the Premier League.
Chelsea vs Brighton – Kick-off
Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024.
Time: 3:00 [GMT +1]
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London England.
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh. Fourth official: David Webb.
VAR: Michael Oliver.
Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall.
Chelsea vs Brighton – Team News
Chelsea have no fresh injury worries after midweek action, with right-back Malo Gusto regaining match fitness and available for selection. Club captain Reece James remains sidelined with a persistent muscle injury, while Romeo Lavia is unavailable for selection. Maresca has a full lineup of attacking talent available.
Brighton’ Joao Pedro is unavailable for selection after picking up an injury in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Ayari & Gruda are in contention for a place in the starting lineup while veteran midfielder James Milner is an injury doubt.
Pre-Match Tactical Analysis
Both teams play an expansive brand of possession based football, with players tasked with the responsibility of playing through the press while attacking space behind the opposition’s last line of defense. Chelsea keeper, Roberto Sanchez have frequently been used in the first phase of build up, with left back Cucurella occasionally inverting to build a double pivot with midfielder Caicedo. Out of possession, Maresca’s side switch from a mid block to a high press with the wide players responsible for pressing opposition centre backs.
Brighton possess the technical quality to play through Chelsea’s press, but will be wary of leaving Chelsea’s wide men in space, as their aggressive high line could be exploited, as seen in Forest’s second goal last Sunday. During buildup, Fabian Hurzeler demands his striker to be active by dropping into midfield, linking play with the midfielders and wingers.
Chelsea vs Brighton – Key Players
Nicolas Jackson
Brighton’s highline will definitely leave the Chelsea striker with lots of space to exploit, with the Senegalese forward looking to continue his fine form in front of goal this season. His relentless energy pressing the ball would also be key in denying Brighton’s centre backs quality time on the ball during build-up. The outcome of the game can also be decided by Jackson’s ability to convert big chances into goals as Brighton’s tactical setup will definitely leave spaces to exploit.
Yankuba Minteh
Marc Cucurella’s occasional inversion into central midfield could leave Chelsea’s left side of defense exposed with Sancho/Neto not particularly good at providing quality defensive cover. Brighton’s right winger could have a field day at the office with his blistering pace & explosive dribbling, finding space to either shoot or create chances. When in transition, his decision making in the final third could be the decisive factor for Brighton in this game.
Chelsea vs Brighton – Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Brighton: Sanchez, Gusto, Colwill, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea: Verbruggen, Estupinan, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Mitoma, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Rutter, Welbeck.
