Brighton vs Chelsea – Match Preview and team news

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·14 February 2025

Brighton vs Chelsea – Match Preview and team news

Brighton and Chelsea will pair up on Valentine’s Day as the two clubs meet in the Premier League this evening.

It’s a quick second date after their meeting in the fifth round of the FA Cup just last weekend. The Seagulls came out on top at the Amex Stadium as Kaoru Mitoma dumped the visitor’s out of the competition to book a tryst with Newcastle United in the next round.

OneFootball Videos

Hurzeler could be without captain Lewis Dunk on this occasion after the defender was forced off at the interval last Saturday. Mats Wieffer will be assessed but tonight’s game comes too soon for Solly March and James Milner.

Enzo Maresca will be plotting revenge is expected to have the same pool of players at his disposal as he did six days ago. The severity of Nicolas Jackson’s hamstring injury was confirmed on Thursday evening, with the Senegalese international not expected to return until after the next international break in late March.

Alternative striker option Marc Guiu is also unavailable alongside long-term absentees Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia. Reece James is in contention after being rested last weekend while Filip Jorgensen is expected to start in between the sticks.

Brighton vs Chelsea – Match Preview and team news

Form

Brighton: WWLLW

Brighton’s progression into the fifth round of the FA Cup gave the club a huge lift after suffering their heaviest defeat in Premier League history, conceding seven goals without reply to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

That result leaves them in 10th position, but they retain a slim hope of qualifying for Europe this season. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are only seven points off fifth-placed Manchester City.

However, their home form leaves a lot to be desired with only three wins from 11 league games. That said, they have only lost twice in front of their fans, drawing the other six. Their last home win came against Man City in November.

Read – Brighton predicted lineup and team news vs Chelsea

Chelsea: DWLWL

Chelsea’s inconsistency continued last weekend with that loss to Brighton. After winning eight consecutive games at the tail end of 2024, this calendar year has conjured up varying results.

A 3-1 victory over Wolves was followed by a defeat to Manchester City by the same scoreline. A hard-fought 2-1 win over West Ham preceded that defeat to Brighton, also by the same deficit.

The Blues are one of several English clubs dealing with a depleted squad. Their decline in form leaves them inside the top four in the league standings, but only three points above seventh.

Last Meeting

Brighton 2-1 Chelsea, FA Cup, 8th February 2025

It’s been less than a week since they last came to blows as Brighton knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup. The Blues fortuitously took the lead after a moment to forget from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Cole Palmer tamely volleyed a low cross into the six-yard box which wasn’t close to a teammate. However, Verbruggen inexplicably fumbled the ball into his own net under no duress to gift the opening goal.

Chelsea’s lead didn’t last long as Georginio Rutter levelled matters just six minutes later. Joel Veltman’s first-time delivery landed directly onto the head of the 22-year-old who guided the ball past Robert Sanchez.

It was a fairly open contest in Sussex, with both sides having chances to gain the advantage. Palmer’s looping header could only reach the roof of the net and Rutter’s square pass went unmet.

Shortly after the interval, Brighton would complete the comeback through Kaoru Mitoma. The Japan international improvised to control Rutter’s pass before flicking the ball beyond Sanchez.

The winger’s goal was steeped in controversy. In the moments leading up to the winner, Marc Cucurella’s attempted clearance was blocked by former Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey’s hand. Seconds later Brighton profited, but with no VAR in operation the infringement could not be reviewed.

The visitors couldn’t find an equaliser of their own to prevent their exit from the FA Cup.

Read – Chelsea predicted lineup and team news vs Brighton

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the American Express Stadium will be at 20:00 GMT on Friday 14th February 2025.

Who is the referee?

Chris Kavanagh will be the match official. Lee Betts and Mark Scholes will assist him and Stuart Attwell will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Michael Oliver and he will be assisted by Ian Hussin.

Read – Maresca insists no pressure on Chelsea to finish in top four