Game Week 25 Predictions: Brighton must avoid defeat against Chelsea

Brighton hosts Chelsea in a crucial Premier League clash, with both sides needing a win to stay in the European race after recent setbacks.

Brighton's last league result demands a huge improvement, can they do better than they did in the reverse fixture where Cole Palmer ran riot? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Brighton vs Chelsea

Amex Stadium

9:00 pm

No love lost on Valentine’s Day as Chelsea takes their latest search for three points to Brighton, a team bleeding on all fronts after their embarrassing defeat at Nottingham Forest.

For a team that has recorded strong results against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal this season, slumping to a 7-0 defeat at the City Ground was never in the script, but the Seagulls bounced back quickly with a Cup win over Chelsea.

Chelsea’s mission here is to prove that the loss in the FA Cup to Brighton was a blip; they weren’t assured in the FA Cup game of last weekend; they cannot afford to show up like they did in the cup; even a draw won’t be enough.

The Blues started brightly under Enzo Maresca, with many tipping them to win the title after they appeared so good that they were right behind Liverpool on the log for a sustained period, but they have since slumped to fourth, and a loss here could throw them out of the top six completely.

Chelsea’s goal this season would realistically be to finish in the top four, but with Manchester City, Newcastle, and Brighton breathing down their necks, they don’t want to fall off or have to chase; the Blues cannot afford to lose this game.

Brighton’s confidence will come from the cup win while the visitors will look at Brighton’s annihilation at Forest for belief; the Seagulls must win if they want to keep any hope of finishing within the top seven, which guarantees a spot in Europe; they cannot afford to slip up again.

Lewis Dunk should be available for this fixture after suffering a knock in their last game, but Pervis Estupinian and Igor Julio are ruled out, with the latter not expected to feature again until next season after undergoing surgery.

Chelsea’s injury woes continue to pile up with Nicolas Jackson ruled out until late April and Marc Guiu also out with hamstring problems, leaving the Blues with only Chris Nkunku as their only available striker while their defence continues to miss Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.

Kaoru Mitoma shone like a star in the FA Cup win over Chelsea despite being a subject of a mega-money transfer to Saudi Arabia in the concluded window; he will hope to get busy and productive again this weekend while Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck will also be there to trouble their visitors.

Cole Palmer remains the leading light in the Chelsea ranks. The England playmaker will have Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto as a support cast, but everyone will expect him to lead from the front while Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo will provide cover for the defence.

Verdict: Both teams to score.