Brighton host Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday (20:00 kick-off), with the visitors arriving in the worst form of their season and a lengthy absentee list on both sides of the pitch.
Chelsea sit sixth in the Premier League on 48 points from 33 games — a position that keeps them in reach of European qualification but well outside the top tier. Six defeats in their last seven league matches is a run that reflects a side that has struggled to hold leads, create chances, and keep opponents out. Four consecutive games without scoring makes the problem explicit.
Brighton are in a different mood. The Seagulls sit ninth on 47 points and are unbeaten in their last four league matches. History favours them in this fixture, Brighton have won their last three Premier League meetings against Chelsea. Coming into Tuesday night, that psychological edge sits alongside genuine form.
Chelsea’s injury crisis
The visitors travel without a significant set of absentees. Reece James and Levi Colwill are both out, removing two of their most experienced defensive options. Filip Jörgensen and Trevoh Chalobah are also unavailable. In attack, Mykhaylo Mudryk serves a suspension and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is injured, two players who would typically provide width and direct running.
Stripped of those options across both ends of the pitch, Chelsea’s ability to break the scoring drought depends on what alternatives Enzo Maresca can construct. Four consecutive games without a goal from open play is not coincidence at this stage of the season.
Brighton’s position
Brighton’s 12-11-10 record tells the story of a consistent mid-table side: capable of picking up points in difficult fixtures, drawing often, occasionally winning big. Their recent unbeaten run and home advantage against a Chelsea side in poor form positions them well.
Brighton are missing Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster through injury. The XI that takes to the Amex should otherwise be largely intact.
Verdict
Chelsea need a result more than Brighton do, but they travel with less form, fewer available players, and a recent record in this fixture that offers little encouragement. Unless something changes dramatically, Brighton look the more likely side to take three points on Tuesday night.
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