Brighton Seeks Consistency After a Crucial FA Cup Victory
Brighton finally ended their poor run of form with a victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup, which could serve as a turning point in their season. Before this win, the Seagulls were in serious crisis, with the low point being a shocking 7-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. This victory not only secured them a place in the next round of the FA Cup but also provided a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League action.
However, Brighton has struggled at home in the league. Their last home victory in the Premier League came back in November when they defeated Manchester City 2-1. Since then, they have gone five consecutive league matches at the Amex without a win, increasing the pressure ahead of another clash with Chelsea. Hurzeler’s team has managed just two wins in their last 12 league games (D6, L4), a significant drop compared to their strong start to the season when they won six, drew four, and lost only twice in their first 12 matches.
Brighton’s squad is dealing with several injury concerns. Jason Steele, Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, James Milner, and Solly March are all sidelined, while captain Lewis Dunk is doubtful due to a rib injury. Additionally, Pervis Estupinan and Mats Wieffer were unavailable for the FA Cup match, and it remains to be seen if they will be ready for this fixture. On the bright side, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter have been in good form and played key roles in Brighton’s FA Cup win over Chelsea. Joao Pedro might also start, boosting Brighton’s attacking potential.
Chelsea in the Champions League Race After FA Cup Disappointment
Chelsea’s elimination from the FA Cup means they will now fully focus on the Premier League and the Europa Conference League. Enzo Maresca’s team currently sits in fourth place in the table, but their position is far from secure – they are only two points ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle, leaving them with no room for errors.
Chelsea’s away form has been inconsistent. They have failed to win any of their last four Premier League away matches, with their last away victory coming in December when they edged Tottenham 4-3 in a thriller. However, their recent record against Brighton in the Premier League is encouraging – they won their last visit to the Amex 2-1 and defeated Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, with Cole Palmer scoring four goals in a standout performance.
Maresca will have to deal with multiple absences. Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Omari Kellyman, and Marc Guiu are all injured, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving a doping suspension. Nicolas Jackson is also sidelined and expected to be out for six weeks. However, there is good news for Chelsea as Reece James is back, while Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, and Noni Madueke are candidates to return to the starting lineup. Christopher Nkunku will lead the attack, with Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho playing key offensive roles.
Betting Predictions
Given both teams’ current form, an exciting match with plenty of chances and goals is expected.
✅ Both Teams to Score (BTTS – Yes) – Brighton and Chelsea both play attacking football but struggle defensively. Their recent encounters have often seen goals on both ends, making this a solid bet.
✅ Over 2.5 Goals – This threshold has been exceeded in three of their last four meetings. With both teams’ playing styles, another high-scoring match is likely.
✅ Cole Palmer to Score – Palmer was the standout player in their last league meeting, scoring four goals, so he remains one of the most dangerous players on the pitch.
✅ X2 & Over 2 Goals – Chelsea holds a slight advantage due to their squad quality, but Brighton plays very openly at home. A double chance on Chelsea combined with at least two goals seems like a strong option.
An exciting match is ahead, with both teams needing points – Brighton to stay in the European race and Chelsea to solidify their top-four position.
