Prediction: Chelsea vs Brighton

Verdict: Brighton to qualify 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup adventure and lay down a real marker in west London, Brighton will travel to a struggling Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have turned to Mauricio Pochettino over the summer in an attempt to steady the ship, Chelsea find themselves at the heart of another public crisis. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a 1-0 loss at home against Aston Villa, it appears that the former Tottenham boss has a major job on his hands in SW6. Having to settle for an infamous bottom-half finish last season and failing to book any kind of European adventure for this time around, the former Premier League champions have come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Marking their return from September’s international break with a toothless 0-0 stalemate away at Bournemouth, the Blues have remarkably claimed just a single win from any of their first six top-flight appearances. Likewise, heading into the fortnight interval with a shock 1-0 defeat at home against Nottingham Forest, Pochettino will have a major headache over his side’s rather glaring struggles in the final third.

Team News

Still dealing with a stacked injury list, Chelsea will once again be without the likes of Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku. Likewise, shown a straight red card against Aston Villa over the weekend, full-back Malo Gusto will start his suspension on Wednesday night.

Arriving from Manchester city this summer in a deal with £45million, Cole Palmer should be handed a full recall here. Likewise, finally returning from a long-term knee injury, 22-year-old Armando Broja could make a first start of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Brighton

As for the visitors, while Brighton might have opened their Europa League adventure with a shock 3-2 loss at home against AEK Athens last weekend, the Seagulls certainly came roaring back over the weekend. Mounting a stellar comeback at the Amex as they eventually claimed a 3-1 win against Bournemouth, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have continued to gain a string of plaudits. Coming flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the one-time Sassuolo boss has seen his side win five of their first six Premier League appearances. With their extended purple patch highlighted by an eye-catching 3-1 win away at Manchester United when returning from September’s international break, Brighton will also be excited by a rampant record against Wednesday’s hosts. In fact, claiming a 2-1 victory when they travelled to Stamford Bridge back on April 15th, De Zerbi’s side are unbeaten in each of their last four Premier League showdowns against Chelsea.

Team News

Dealing with a recent muscle strain and missing out against Bournemouth over the weekend, Germany international Pascal Gross is not expected to be risked here. Likewise, Brighton are still sweating over the fitness of former Liverpool star James Milner on Wednesday night.

Coming off the bench and bagging a brace at the Amex a few days ago, attacking talisman Kaoru Mitoma could be handed a full recall here. Making the move from Spanish giants Barcelona on a season-long loan deal, Ansu Fati should make a full domestic debut in west London.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met at Stamford Bridge back on April 15th, Brighton picked up a 2-1 victory in west London.
• Likewise, the Seagulls are unbeaten in each of their previous four Premier League battles against Chelsea.
• Wednesday’s hosts have recorded just a single Premier League win from their opening six appearances.
• Likewise, the Blues have drawn a blank in each of their previous three top-flight appearances on either side of September’s international break.
• Continuing on from last season, Chelsea have remarkably won just one of their previous 11 Premier League contests at Stamford Bridge.

Conclusion

Mounting a stellar comeback at home against Bournemouth over the weekend, Brighton will certainly be smelling the chance to lay down an EFL Cup marker here. Now winning five of their opening six Premier League appearances and gaining a reputation or their free-scoring performances in the final third, a struggling Chelsea should be bracing themselves for another stern examination on Wednesday night. In the midst of a public crisis and showing some rather glaring issues in the final third, it should also be highlighted that the former Premier League champions have won just one of their last 11 top-flight showdowns at Stamford Bridge. With Brighton landing a 2-1 win when they last arrived in west London on April 15th, we are backing the Seagulls to extend on their EFL Cup adventure here.

Verdict: Brighton to qualify 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster