Date: Wednesday 1st January 2020
Venue: Amex Stadium
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
Our first game of the New Year and of a new decade, sees us make
the trip to Brighton.
Last time out, against Arsenal, we came away with the spoils but that wasn’t without a lot of negativity from players and supporters alike. Where the players lacked energy, the supporters were animated in their opinion; and where the XI on the field were quietly trying to get through the first half with as little effort as possible, it seems the dressing room was anything but quiet during the break because after an early shuffle of the pack and good old fashioned dressing down, we got back to what we know and love – keeping London blue.
As for Brighton, they also come into today’s game off the back
of a win and whilst they don’t have a great record against us, they do have a
good record on their opening games in the New Year, with just one defeat in the
last decade.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s
game, Brighton head coach Graham Potter, says “I can’t comment on any change in mentality against certain
opposition from previous times because I wasn’t here, but we try to go into
every game with a mentality and belief that we can get something.
The top six sides in this league are
at a different level – historically that’s a fact. But you should never go onto
a pitch thinking you’ve got no chance. We
have to understand that Chelsea will come with a good side. They’re a top team
who are in the Champions League so that’s the challenge facing us.”
Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard meanwhile, on being
asked about the performance against Arsenal, says “From my point of view you can accept a
miss-pass but you can’t accept lethargy in a London derby. The players were told
that and they delivered. The second half was nothing to do with tactics it was
all to do with spirit and desire. I still haven’t bounced back from Boxing Day
mentally (loss to Southampton). Our next
home games we’ll do everything we can to turn the corner. We’re still in fourth
and want more and the home games have been different so we have to focus on
them when they come around.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Brighton, Solly
March (groin) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) remain unavailable.
For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek
(Achilles), van Ginkel (ACL), remain out and Marcos Alonso (hamstring) and
Reece James (ankle) are not expected to be fit. Cesar Azpilicueta will be
monitored and we’ve no idea what’s happening with Christian Pulisic, although
he’s apparently said he’s 100% healthy.
TEAMS
BRIGHTON (Possible line-up): Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Bissouma, Propper; Trossard, Mooy,
Jahanbakhsh; Maupay
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma;
Tomori, Alonso; Jorginho; Kante; Willian, Mount; Abraham.
LAST SEASON
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (16th December 2018)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
BRIGHTON: WDDLLW
CHELSEA: WLLWLW
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea have won
all nine of their league meetings with Brighton.
- Brighton have lost
11 and drawn one of the 12 meetings since their only competitive win against
Chelsea in an FA Cup third-round game in 1933.
- Brighton have lost
just once over the past decade in their opening league game of the year (Wolves
in 2016).
- Brighton have never
won a Premier League match in January, losing five and drawing three of eight
matches.
- Brighton could keep
successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since a run of three
in October 2018.
- Chelsea have won
seven of their past nine league away games.
- Chelsea have taken 21
points on their travels this season.
- Defeat would be
Chelsea’s eighth of the season.
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Brighton 0-2 Chelsea
Sky Sports: Brighton 2-2 Chelsea
Sportsmole: Brighton 2-2 Chelsea
