Premier League: Chelsea Must Beware Dangerous Brighton

Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea got their Premier League title bid back on track with a much-needed 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day. It was the Blues’ first win in three games and keeps them six points behind high-flying leaders Manchester City.

However, Chelsea can’t afford another slip-up when they host Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The Seagulls are coming off their own Boxing Day win against Brentford, which snapped their long winless run.

But despite their poor run of recent Premier League 2021 results, Brighton are a dangerous team that can give even the best clubs some problems.

Talking Points

Lukaku finally back among the goals for Chelsea

After back-to-back draws to Everton and Wolves significantly affected their Premier League 2021 odds of winning the championship, Chelsea got their title challenge back on track with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

Jorginho scored twice from the penalty spot, while Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score his first league goal since getting a brace against Villa back in September.

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has been starting an unusual front three of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, and Callum Hudson-Odoi/Hakim Ziyech in the last couple of games, and it still remains to be seen whether he sees the now-healthy Lukaku as part of his first-choice XI.

The Belgian superstar has struggled to integrate himself into Tuchel’s system, with the Blues usually playing better without the club-record signing.

But with a big match against Liverpool coming up on the weekend, Tuchel will be sure to make some changes to his side to prepare for their midweek clash, so there is a decent chance Lukaku will play.

Midfielder N’Golo Kante could be given a rest with Mateo Kovacic back healthy. Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta could also be handed starts in central defence.

Chelsea have been quite wobbly at home recently. They have won just one of their last four games at Stamford Bridge, with three draws. They have also conceded five goals in those four games.

Brighton finally snap long winless run

Brighton’s 11-match winless drought finally came to an end as they beat Brentford 2-0 on Boxing Day. The front two of Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard supplied the goals for the Seagulls, who are still at the top half of the Premier League table despite their recent lack of wins.

Brighton picked up eight draws in those 11 winless games, which included surprising results away to Liverpool and West Ham.

The big problem plaguing Graham Potter’s side remains scoring enough goals; they have scored just 16 goals thus far, the fourth-fewest in the league. Maupay is on a bit of a hot streak at the moment with three goals in his last three appearances, so he will be the main man in terms of breaching the Chelsea defence.

Meanwhile, the Brighton defence is still quite solid, conceding just 17 goals to date. Key midfielder Yves Bissouma will be back in the lineup after missing the Brentford match due to suspension. Defenders Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman could also return after being missing Boxing Day.

Brighton have not won an away game since September. They’ve drawn five of their last six matches away from the Amex, scoring more than one goal just once (against Liverpool).

History

Chelsea have absolutely dominated Brighton throughout the years. After losing their first meeting in 1933, the Blues have not lost to the Seagulls in their 15 subsequent meetings.

The two sides have met eight times in the Premier League, with Chelsea winning on six occasions. Although, Brighton have held the Blues to draws in two of their last three matches, including in their most recent trip to Stamford Bridge.

Betting Tip 

	Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion	Under 2.50 @ 1.93
	December 30, 3:30 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Chelsea installed as significant 1.44 favourites over Brighton, who are priced at 7.40 to pull off the upset. A draw is at 4.10.

Chelsea still have some attacking issues to sort out, especially if Lukaku returns to the starting lineup. They should have enough quality to find a way past Brighton to get the win at Stamford Bridge, but the Seagulls will not make it easy.

With both teams among the top defensive sides in the league, this match has the makings of a cagey and competitive affair with not a lot of goals scored between the two, so the under seems like the smart play.

 

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