Chelsea vs Brighton predictions: Stamford Bridge set for stalemate

Liam Flin

Spotlight

Mauricio Pochettino described last week's capitulation at Newcastle as Chelsea's "worst game" this season

- Brighton have drawn four of their last seven Premier League games
- Chelsea have won just one of their last 14 home league fixtures
- Recommended Bet: Draw

Chelsea's Premier League resurgence came to an end last Saturday as they were battered 4-1 by Newcastle and things will not get any easier when they host Brighton this weekend.

The Seagulls have, however, found wins hard to come by as well and this could be tricky to call with both clubs dealing with some major player absences.

Packed December schedules await both of these clubs and they will be eager to get points on the board quickly at the start of the festive period.

Team news

Reece James was sent off in Chelsea's defeat to Newcastle and will miss this game, joining a lengthy list of absentees including Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Defender Marc Cucurella misses this clash against his former club as he serves a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards, although fellow former Seagull Moises Caicedo could return to the starting line-up.

Captain Lewis Dunk is suspended for Brighton, who will also have to make do without Ansu Fati, Solly March, Danny Welbeck, Tariq Lamptey, Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Mahmoud Dahoud and Adam Webster.

The stats

Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton have struggled for winning momentum, having been held in four of their last seven league games

Chelsea have recorded just one win from seven home games in the Premier League this term.

Brighton have posted four draws in the league this season, all of which have come in their last seven games.

Five of Chelsea's last seven games in all competitions have produced over 3.5 goals.

Both teams have scored in all 13 of the Seagulls's top-flight assignments this season.

The latest Chelsea vs Brighton odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino described his side's 4-1 thrashing by Newcastle last time out as the "worst game" of the season for his side and he will be demanding a response against Brighton.

The Blues were level with Newcastle at 1-1 at the break but conceded three times in the space of 23 minutes after the interval.

Their cause was not helped by skipper Reece James having been sent off after 73 minutes and he will miss out along with a lengthy list of players for Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge.

But the good news for Chelsea is that Brighton are also missing key personnel and have been underperforming.

The Seagulls dug deep to edge Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the City Ground last time out but that was their only victory in their last seven Premier League assignments.

That run has also featured four draws and that could be the way to go in London.

Brighton have shared the spoils with Liverpool, Fulham, Everton and Sheffield United since the beginning of October and they edged AEK Athens just 1-0 in the Europa League group stage on Thursday.

Brighton have also seen both teams score in all 13 of their Premier League fixtures this season and their quality going forward coupled with their vulnerability at the back also points to a share of the spoils.

Back the draw which is available at 3/1 with LiveScore Bet.