“Not an easy tie to call” – Chris Sutton gives his prediction for Brighton vs Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea to travel to Brighton on Saturday evening in the FA Cup fourth round and former Blue Chris Sutton has given his prediction.

The Blues picked up a much needed win in the league against West Ham on Monday night to move back into the top four, but attention now switches to the FA Cup.

Enzo Maresca’s men cruised past League Two Morecambe in the previous round, but the Seagulls will provide a much tougher test.

Sutton makes Brighton vs Chelsea prediction

Chelsea are facing a crisis at striker after it was confirmed Marc Guiu will be out for a number of weeks, whilst Nicolas Jackson is also a major doubt for the trip to the AMEX.

Maresca has hinted Cole Palmer could be a shock solution to the current shortage at striker, although a far more likely option is Christopher Nkunku.

Given Maresca doesn’t have a huge number of options at his disposal it will be interesting to see how many changes he makes from the team that beat West Ham.

Palmer scored four goals against Brighton earlier in the season. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

New signing Mathis Amougou was in training this week, so there’s an outside chance he could make his debut, although Maresca has warned not to expect the teenager to play much between now and the end of the season.

The FA Cup is important and the Blues haven’t won a domestic trophy since 2017, but Sutton has tipped them to progress to the next round.

“This is not an easy tie to call. Brighton need to bounce back from losing 7-0 to Nottingham Forest, while Chelsea have been very up and down in recent weeks,” he told BBC Sport.

“I think this game will be tight, I certainly don’t see Brighton capitulating the way they did at Forest, but the key thing for them is Yasin Ayari and Carlos Baleba being fit to return in midfield.

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“Even if they both return, I still feel like Chelsea will find a way of winning the tie. It may go all the way to penalties but I am going to say Enzo Maresca’s side will win it in extra time.

“Sutton’s prediction: 1-2 after extra time.”