Brighton vs Chelsea predictions: Soaring Seagulls can leapfrog beleaguered Blues
Joe Champion
Brighton can move two points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with a win at the Amex
The Blues are on a rotten run of form having lost four straight league matches
Recommended bet: Brighton to win
Chelsea's hopes of Champions League football have slipped away following a run of four straight Premier League losses and Brighton will attempt to do further damage to the Blues' European ambitions when the pair clash on the south coast on Tuesday evening.
While Liam Rosenior's men have been heading in the wrong direction in recent weeks, Fabian Hurzeler's Seagulls have been in fine form, winning five of their last seven matches to force their way into a congested battle for sixth place.
Chelsea remain favourites in the battle to clinch sixth spot, which would make certain of a place in the Europa League next season, but they will need a much-improved performance if they are to claim victory at the Amex.
The latest Brighton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk returns from suspension to shore up the Seagulls' defence. Kaoru Mitoma has also shaken off the knock he picked up in the draw with Spurs, but Diego Gomez, James Milner, Solly March, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas all miss out.
Joao Pedro missed Chelsea's weekend clash with Manchester United and will be assessed ahead of this trip to his former team. Estevao, Reece James, Levi Colwill and Jamie Gittens have been ruled out, but Enzo Fernandez is fit.
The latest Brighton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Brighton have won five of their last seven Premier League matches.
The Seagulls have won three straight matches against Chelsea.
Three of Brighton's last five wins have come without conceding a goal.
Chelsea have failed to score in five of their last six matches.
The Blues' last seven away matches all featured over 2.5 goals.
The latest Brighton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Liam Rosenior admitted that Chelsea "have a mountain to climb" in their pursuit of Champions League football after Saturday's 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United, and on the evidence of that display, his team may be better off looking over their shoulders.
The Blues controlled more of the ball and had three shots to the Red Devils' one, but it was the latest in a series of insipid attacking displays from a side that had previously suffered 3-0 league losses away at Everton and at home to Manchester City.
In Brighton, Chelsea face a team who are full of confidence and gave another good account of themselves in Saturday's emotionally charged clash with Tottenham, twice coming from behind to secure a point against a fired-up Spurs team coached by ex-Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi.
The south-coast outfit humbled Liverpool 2-1 in their last Premier League home game, gaining a deserved triumph having won the expected goals battle 2.18-1.02 and the shot-on-target count 7-5.
Only Arsenal have proved too strong in their last seven top-flight outings, and on that occasion Brighton still posted more shots and enjoyed the lion's share of possession.
Unlike Chelsea, the Seagulls are looking up the table and can take a step towards a place in the Europa League by registering an eighth home win of the season.
Back Brighton to win at 27/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Brighton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
