Date: Saturday 15th
April 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
As much as we’d like the season over, there’s
a bit more pain for us yet and today’s sufferance, fresh off the back of our
sponsored walk against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, we face Brighton at
Stamford Bridge.
The back four didn’t work against Wolves
last weekend, but the back three wasn’t exactly a roaring success against Real
Madrid midweek either, so Frank’s got some thinking to do. God knows what he’ll
do at the other end of the pitch given we haven’t scored in our last four games.
Being at home gives us no advantage either because
we’ve only managed two wins from the last eight at home in the Premier League –
and to think there’s some who’ll kid themselves we’ll manage it against Real
Madrid.
We’ve won just four of the last 21 games and sit 11th in the Premier League
going into today’s game, and whilst I’d give anything to be able to argue that
position is undeserved, it isn’t. Frankly, we’re awful. We’re so bad, it might
make one reminisce for years gone by, except the players cost a lot more money
and have a lot less heart.
Today’s visitors
meanwhile, have got a lot more about them. They fell
foul of VAR last weekend and were unlucky to come away with nothing from their
game against Sp*rs, but before that, they were on a seven-game unbeaten away
run in the Premier League and have only lost 2 in their last 12 top-flight games
and four of the last 18. We’ve drawn our last 2
games against Brighton at home, and they might not have won at Stamford
Bridge before, but this season we’re all about giving aren’t we?
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into tonight’s game, Chelsea
manager, Frank Lampard, says “I’m delighted to be back. It will never fall short of me the honour of
being manager, head coach in whatever capacity. I have done it before for a
season and a half and I loved pretty much every minute and I’m happy to be
back. I have performed at Stamford
Bridge in one way or another for a long time over the years, so my overriding
feeling absolutely is the focus on the job and trying to get wins. I’ll
appreciate being back but I’ll have my serious face on.”
Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, says “Me and my staff have a special relationship [with Mudryk]. He is like a
son to us. I hope he stays on the bench and doesn’t play but I love him. We
hope the best for him… from the next game.
I think for Chelsea it has been a difficult season but they are still a
big, big, big team. One season can happen like this. For any young player it is
more difficult to adapt to another country and another style of football.
Chelsea have many big players and I think it is a normal situation for him, he
has to adapt and to understand his life has changed but I think he is good,
smart guy. He can become a top, top player.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea,
Armando Broja (ACL), remains out, Kalidou Koulibaly (hamstring) has been ruled
out following his injury midweek and Carney Chukwuemeka (knock) is doubtful.
For Brighton, Adam Lallana (thigh), Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) and Jakub Moder
(knee) are injured, Tariq Lamptey (knee) is a doubt and Levi Colwill is
ineligible to play against us.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; James, Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Enzo, Mount; Sterling,
Felix, Havertz
BRIGHTON
(Possible line-up): Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk,
Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 1-1 Brighton
(29th December 2021)
FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: WWDLDL
BRIGHTON: WDWDWL
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea have never lost at home to Brighton in the
league.
- Chelsea are without a win in their last four games
in the league.
- Brighton’s defeat at Spurs last time out ended a
run of five games without defeat.
- Chelsea have failed to score in four games in all
competitions.
- Chelsea have conceded once in seven previous
meetings at Stamford Bridge against Brighton.
- Brighton’s 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture was
their first-ever league win over Chelsea in 15 attempts.
- Three of the last four meetings have ended in a
draw.
- Chelsea have won just one of their 14 Premier
League matches this season against teams in the top half of the table.
- Brighton could suffer back-to-back league defeats
for just the second time this season.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Brighton
