Chelsea-Brighton is a match valid for the 31st day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 4 pm: TV, predictions.
After the night in Madrid there seems to be no more doubt: Chelsea will stay out of the Champions League 2023-24. The Blues’ only chance to participate in the next edition of the continent’s most important event was to win the one currently underway, but the 2-0 loss that accrued last Wednesday at the “Bernabeu” – barring sensational comebacks – evaporated even the Londoners’ remaining hopes.
Could not have imagined a worse start for Frank Lampard, for the second time in his career on the Chelsea bench after Graham Potter’s exoneration. The club’s former historic captain, who previously led the Blues from 2019 to 2021, will fill the role of ferryman at least until the end of the season, and then pass the baton to one of Luis Enrique, Mauricio Pochettino or Julian Nagelsmann (these are the main candidates). Meanwhile, two defeats in two and no goals scored since he has been at the helm. Chelsea in Madrid did what they could but right now Real is two spans above them. Harder to justify, on the other hand, was last Saturday’s defeat to Wolverhampton (1-0), which plunged Havertz and co. further down the table. Eleventh knockout in the league for a team that cost more than 500 million euros and is in serious danger of being left out of everything.
Blues, last call for Europe
Not even in front of their own public has Chelsea been able to stand up for themselves. There are only two home wins in the last eight. And in this weekend comes Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton: the Seagulls have two fewer games but seven more points and it is precisely on them that the Blues must make the run if they want to at least save the season.
Mac Allister vs. Tottenham
In the first leg match there was practically no history: Brighton prevailed 4-1, making a mockery of its old coach, Potter, who had just left him – a farewell that took place while the league was in progress – to accept an offer from the London club. Brighton returning to the English capital a week after a defeat, the first since last February, at home to Tottenham, which got the better of them 2-1. Europe, however, is still possible.
The prediction
Chelsea is back to disappointing from the offensive point of view: in the last four games they have not found the way to goal, something that has not happened since 1993. Against Brighton, a team that plays but also lets play, the Blues’ attack should unlock but the visitors seem to have all the cards to take at least a point away from London.
Chelsea-Brighton’s likely lineups
- CHELSEA (4-3-3): Kepa; James, W. Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Enzo Fernandez, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Joao Felix.
- BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
