Brighton vs Chelsea Prediction: The Blues take aim at Seagulls

Chelsea have enjoyed a resurgence towards the end of this turbulent season, and they are now competing with Newcastle United for a Europa League spot. It looked unlikely earlier in the season, but three wins on the bounce have propelled the Blues up to seventh, and they are level on points with the Magpies in sixth.

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Next up for Mauricio Pochettino’s men comes a trip to the south coast to take on Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls had European aspirations of their own this season, but those hopes have fallen away with poor form towards the end of the campaign. Now they are looking to secure a top half finish for the third consecutive season.

Team News

Roberto De Zerbi was forced to withdraw Joel Veltman at St James’ Park after he’d opened the scoring, but it is believed the knock he picked up isn't serious. Julio Enciso also has a knock, while Joao Pedro could miss the rest of the campaign after picking up an ankle issue in training. 

He joins a host of sidelined stars, with Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, James Milner, Pervis Estupinan and Jan Paul van Hecke all out. However, Tariq Lamptey should start against his former club. 

Chelsea are finally coming out the other side of their injury crisis. Reece James got an assist off the bench at the weekend and could start here, while Lesley Ugochukwu also returned to the squad. Some of the usual suspects such as Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana remain out, but this season is ending on a brighter note for those Chelsea fans.

Brighton vs Chelsea Match Odds

Brighton are priced at 9/4 to win this game, with Chelsea available at 1/1. That gives the away side an implied win probability of 50%, while a draw can be backed at 31/10. If you fancy goals, BTTS is 2/5 and over 2.5 goals is priced at 41/100.

Chelsea to win @ 1/1

I think Chelsea are going to keep up their impressive winning form, as they look to overhaul Newcastle. Pochettino’s men have turned a corner in the last few weeks and are now beating teams in impressive fashion. They had a battle on their hands against Nottingham Forest, but still came away with the three points after Nicolas Jackson’s late winner.

They’ve now scored 10 goals in their last three games and as a result, I think they will be able to beat a Brighton team that is blowing hot and cold right now. The Seagulls have picked up four points from their last two games, but have only won one of their last eight if you look further back. De Zerbi is highly-rated, but his side aren’t in form right now, and I think they will find life tough against an improving Chelsea outfit. 

Nicolas Jackson anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

One man who typifies Chelsea’s recent progress is Nicolas Jackson. Vilified earlier in the season, he has found his goalscoring boots in recent weeks. He’s now scored 14 goals in his debut year in England - not a bad haul for a young striker in an underperforming team. 

Over the past three gameweeks though he has seriously impressed. He’s scored four in his last three and seven in his last 11 games as he finishes the season strongly. Against Brighton, his pace should cause problems, and he looks to have found his feet in front of goal.

I’m happy to pick him out as an anytime goalscorer against a Brighton team who have only kept one clean sheet in their last six, and conceded three in the reverse fixture.