England Premier League
Saturday 15th April 2023
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Preview:
Chelsea haven’t scored in four games in all competitions let alone start to win games and these seem uncertain times for the Blues. The big news of course was Frank Lampard being drafted back in as manager but his time has started the way it ended the last time he was in charge. Lampard’s first league game back ended in a 1-0 defeat at Wolves and then he witnessed a 2-0 loss at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Of course the Chelsea fans love Lampard who will remain a legend for the club as a player and this game marks his first time in charge at Stamford Bridge and he will be sure to get a warm reception, the question is will that warmth extend itself by the final whistle? Chelsea did have a 9 point gap to 12th and it was thought that the worst position they could finish in would be 11th but if they lose here and Crystal Palace were to win the gap would be down to just 3 points. It’s got to the point now where it looks likely that Chelsea will not be playing European football next season of any kind and it’s been a month since they recorded their last victory which was against Leicester.
Brighton did have ties with Chelsea this season given that Graham Potter jumped ship for the Blues but now he has gone that isn’t an issue. The irony cannot be lost on anyone though that Potter went to Chelsea because they are the bigger club and yet this season the Seagulls are seven points clear of Chelsea and have played two games less. A four game unbeaten run was ended last weekend though as they lost 2-1 at Tottenham. However that was a controversial game in which the authorities admitted that they had made a glaring error not awarding Brighton a stonewall penalty, with VAR and every camera angle one could imagine it is these type of decisions that are really letting the Premier League down.
Brighton will have to move on from that and try to get the win here to have a chance of European qualification. Perhaps the bad news for Chelsea is that Roberto De Zerbi’s side have the 4th best away record in the league with 22 points won from a possible 42.
Team News:
Chelsea: Kalidou Koulibaly has a muscle injury and will need to be assessed but looks like he could be a doubt for this one. Marcus Bettinelli has a slight knock and will be assessed.
Brighton: Levi Colwill cannot play against his parent club. The Seagulls have no new injuries however the following are all long term absentees; Jakub Moder, Jeremy Sarimiento, Adam Lallana and Tariq Lamptey.
Chelsea vs Brighton Head to Head:
Last season this fixture finished 1-1.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Brighton won 4-1.
Chelsea have not been able to beat Brighton for the last 4 games.
Chelsea vs Brighton Prediction:
Chelsea are under real pressure to win games because even though their season domestically looks over in terms of trying to qualify for Europe the home fans will still demand performances and for the team not to just let this season slide. If the fans turn against their side then they will turn against the board, even if the board are plowing tens of millions into the side for now it has to be questioned just how wisely are they spending the money? There is also the question of Real Madrid coming up in the 2nd leg of their Champions League quarter final tie and the players are going to surely be thinking that this game is secondary to that.
Brighton have a strong and stable away record, although they have tended to draw too many games recently. But the club can come here with heads held up high and the players will be determined to make an impact and collect something after last weekend.
Chelsea vs Brighton Betting Tips:
Draw no bet (Brighton) at 1.94
Half Time Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to Brighton at 2.75 and 4.00
Anytime goalscorer: Danny Welbeck at 3.50
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