2019-20 Premier League: Week 21 – Brighton vs Chelsea

Brighton & Hove Albion kick off 2020 and a new decade of Premier League football as they welcome Chelsea to the Amex Stadium. 

Victory could temporarily lift Brighton into the top ten whilst Chelsea will remain fourth no matter the result. 

 

Team news

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Brighton have no fresh injury concerns from their win over Bournemouth at the weekend, as Solly March prepares to return from a groin injury. 

Jose Izquierdo is still out with a serious knee injury. 

Chelsea could welcome Christian Pulisic back from a tight hamstring which kept him out of Sunday’s win over Arsenal. 

Marcos Alonso could also feature if he can overcome tightness in one of his muscles. 

Reece James (ankle), Marco van Ginkel (knee), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) and Oliver Giroud (ankle) are still ruled out. 

 

Stat Attack

• Brighton have lost all five previous Premier League (PL) meetings against Chelsea.
• Chelsea have scored 13 goals and conceded just once in five PL meetings against Brighton. 
• Brighton’s 11 match losing streak against Chelsea is their worst run against any current Premier League team, ahead of Liverpool (8) and Manchester City (6). 
• Dale Stephens has won 43.8% of his 153 duels this season for Brighton.
• Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga is still yet to make an error which leads to a league goal, having made 56 appearances since arriving last season. 

 

Prediction

Brighton were brilliant against Bournemouth on Saturday, making a great start with an early goal before weathering the Cherries’ attacks until they got on top and were able to control the game whilst scoring another goal. 

Chelsea meanwhile showed grit and determination to come from behind to beat Arsenal which will be key here, if Brighton quickly imposes their passing game because it isn’t easy to shut down and gain control once they get into their stride. 

The first goal therefore surely has to be key here and I can see Chelsea continuing their fierce form over the Seagulls, although it will be a tight result. 

Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Brighton 1-1 Chelsea