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Chelsea FC vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
The Premier League is in the middle of the hottest phase of the year. In a maximum three-day rhythm, the players of the English teams are asked to take to the pitch. However, this already very heavy burden weighs even heavier this year. Almost all teams have to contend with corona cases in their own ranks, making healthy load management almost impossible. Nevertheless, the Premier League continues to pull through. Thus, there is plenty of respectable football for us to enjoy over the turn of the year. For example, the match between Chelsea and Brighton.
Thomas Tuchel’s Londoners cannot afford to make any more mistakes if they want to continue to compete for the championship. Brighton, on the other hand, are in a safe mid-table position, which means they do not have to worry about relegation for the time being. You can find out more here in our Chelsea – Brighton betting tips.
Chelsea – Brighton Info
– Date & Time: 29/12/2021, at 20:30.
– Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 20
– TV broadcast: Sky
Chelsea Form & Balance Check
Chelsea FC have started this season with a lot of confidence. After winning the Champions League, the Blues set the English championship as their new goal. At the beginning of this season, they have also been extremely successful on this path. However, the Londoners have recently had a small dip in form. With the defeat against West Ham and the two draws against Everton and Wolves, they have lost valuable points.
Thanks to this period of weakness, they are already six points behind league leader City. But there is hope. In the last game at Aston Villa, the Blues managed a liberating 3:1 victory. Thanks in part to the return of Romelu Lukaku, they are back on the winning track. Now they can’t drop any more points and must hope for slips from Pep’s boys.
Further weakening of the defence
It’s no secret that Thomas Tuchel has been keen to increase his contingent at centre-back for some time. For example, in the summer a transfer of Jules Kounde fell through shortly before the end. Now, however, Tuchel must tremble even more. It looks as if Antonio Rüdiger, who has matured into a world-class player under the new Chelsea coach, will not renew his contract in the summer and will leave for Madrid. This gives the Blues a clear transfer target in the summer at the latest: new centre-backs.
Chelsea facts & analysis
– Reigning CL winners
– Currently in third place
– Recently only eight points from five games
– Thus six points behind league leader City
Brighton Form & Balance Check
If you had to define the word mediocre in England, this season’s Brighton would fit that definition very well. After 17 games so far, they are in a commanding mid-table position with five wins and four defeats. On top of that, they have eight drawn points. Thus, they have scored 1.35 points per game on average, which is to be understood as very mediocre. In addition, they have scored an average of 0.9 goals paired with 1.0 conceded goals per game. Again, the adjective “mediocre” is to be applied. However, this is meant anything but disrespectfully. For the Seagulls, a place in the mid-table of the Premier League is very strong.
Dreamy
This word certainly crossed the lips of some Brighton supporters at the game against Brentford. Not only did their team pick up three points, but the manner was dreamlike. First and foremost, the goals. Trossard put the Seagulls ahead from the edge of the penalty area with a superb lofted effort which he took straight from the air after some outstanding work by Mwepu. Maupay then hammered the ball unstoppably into the crease of the opposition goal from roughly 15 yards. A matchday Brighton will not soon forget.
Brighton Facts & Analysis
– Situated in the middle of the table.
– A very strong season so far
– Averaging 1.35 points per game
Predicted line-up – last update on 28 December 2021
The big question on everyone’s mind is whether Lukaku will be in the starting eleven for the Blues. We say no. The Belgian’s use was already relatively risky against Aston Villa, effectively ruling out a starting eleven. Not much will change at Brighton either. Graham Potter will field the same eleven as he did against Brentford last time out.
Chelsea – Brighton direct comparison & Statistics
Chelsea FC have never lost against Brighton. The Blues have won ten and drawn two of their twelve league encounters. Brighton have failed to score in any of their away games at Stamford Bridge. The 0-0 draw last year was also the first point gained at the Blues. So the numbers are all against the Seagulls. But maybe there will be a surprise, because there is always a first time.
– Chelsea unbeaten in the league against Brighton.
– From 12 games 10 wins and 2 draws.
– Brighton have never scored at the Bridge
– 0-0 last year first point gained there
