Chelsea go once more this Sunday once we welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge.
Brighton are our new arch enemies on this league they usually completely HATE us (at the very least their followers do). So it’s an actual grudge match and I’m positive their followers will probably be in full voice filled with entertaining chants within the route of us, Moises Caicedo; however not Marc Cucurella as he’s suspended. They’ll in all probability cheer Levi Colwill although as a result of they nonetheless assume he performs for them!!
Everyone knows how Brighton play and we all know they’ll include power, physicality, and a mentality to go away from that recreation with all three factors.
Brighton are solely two locations above Chelsea within the league however frustratingly now, the hole between mid-table and difficult for European locations is changing into a lot bigger and Brighton are 6 factors forward of Chelsea now.
In fact, we will half that by successful on Sunday, however it isn’t going to be as simple as that – removed from it.
Chelsea have been given a 56% win chance although, and Brighton have solely been given 22%. I’m guessing these forecasters missed the Newcastle recreation and solely targeted on the Manchester Metropolis recreation!
Roberto De Zerbi’s facet are in motion tonight within the Europa League which ought to assist Chelsea a bit of when it comes to being brisker. However that’s additionally only a little bit of straw greedy from me. And to be sincere, the best way Poch blasted them in coaching yesterday they’ll nonetheless arrive on the recreation on Sunday with sweat on their brows!
Brighton have overwhelmed Ajax twice in Europe this season, successful 2-0 in every recreation, and though they’ve been up and down within the league, they’re unbeaten in all competitions of their final 6 video games.
Their final defeat was towards Manchester Metropolis and earlier than that, in addition they misplaced 6-1 to Aston Villa.
They’ve truly conceded 3 extra objectives than Chelsea have this season, however they’ve additionally scored 6 greater than us.
Traditionally, these two sides have solely met on 21 events to date, with Chelsea successful 13 and solely shedding 3.
The truth is, earlier than 2022 once we misplaced to them twice in a row, the one different recreation we had misplaced to Brighton was the very first assembly between the 2 groups in 1933.
Chelsea after all beat Brighton within the final assembly, which was in The League Cup this season.
We actually do have to stamp out any sort of tide turning on our historic domination of Brighton, and we will proceed that on Sunday.
When it comes to beginning Xl for Mauricio Pochettino, as soon as once more it stays closely depending on late health calls on injured gamers, or slightly one – Malo Gusto. He has not been coaching but this week and though there was hope from some that he will probably be OK for the sport as a result of coaching all final week, it’s now very contact and go as as to whether he’ll make it.
I don’t imagine that Christopher Nkunku will begin but, however he has an opportunity of creating the squad. Romeo Lavia is simply that little bit additional behind him and I doubt we’ll see him within the squad on Sunday. No signal of Carney Chukwuemeka but however there’s hope he makes a squad earlier than Christmas.
With all of that in thoughts, that is the workforce I believe Pochettino will go for on Sunday:
I do know, I do know, FOUR centre backs throughout the again 4, not perfect.
I might begin Ian Maatsen at left again personally, however I actually don’t assume Pochettino will. And my intestine feeling purely primarily based on the very fact he’s but to coach this week, is that Gusto is not going to be match to begin. So which means the one possibility left can be Disasi.
Bear in mind, Cucurella and Reece James are each suspended.
My wildcard is I’ve a sense that Poch would possibly begin Armando Broja and provides him a shot. There was so much stated about Broja this week so it simply has that feeling that he would possibly are available in for an opportunity. Personally, I WOULD be beginning Broja over Jackson on Sunday. We want that wholesome competitors, and I additionally assume Broja is a greater striker.
Let’s see, and we’ll know extra tomorrow after Poch has spoken to the media about accidents and so on.
My prediction
In fact we will win this. We will beat any workforce. However my optimism has shrunk after the Toon recreation, and I believe it may very well be an identical sort of recreation to that. Brighton have the potential to attain objectives and will probably be tremendous harmful on the counter. They are going to be absolutely up for it and never permit us any time on the ball. I additionally do not know what Chelsea will flip up. We may beat Actual Madrid one week, but with the identical lineup lose to Notts County the following. That’s the place we’re at proper now!
I predict a 2-2 draw. I believe there will probably be objectives, however I believe it is going to be an excellent robust recreation for Chelsea to win.
