The European dream burns bright as Chelsea embarks on a coastal odyssey, their sights set on the American Express Stadium, where Brighton & Hove Albion awaits. This midweek encounter carries the weight of continental aspirations, as Mauricio Pochettino’s rejuvenated Blues seek to solidify their grip on a coveted European berth. Fresh from a hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Nottingham Forest, Chelsea’s momentum collides with the Seagulls’ own resilience, as Roberto De Zerbi’s men held the formidable Newcastle United to a 1-1 stalemate, extending their scoring drought to 14 matches across all competitions.
Brighton’s draw with the Magpies has inadvertently aided Chelsea’s pursuit of sixth place, while the seasiders find themselves resigned to an eighth-place finish, their ambitions for the season ebbing away. Yet, the allure of European grandeur lingers, a siren’s call that Pochettino’s Blues can ill afford to ignore. As Bayern Munich navigates a labyrinth of managerial rejections, whispers of De Zerbi’s name echo through the corridors of the Allianz Arena, adding an intriguing subplot to this coastal clash.
The Italian tactician, however, seeks solace in the familiar confines of his home turf, determined to orchestrate consecutive home victories for the first time in 2024. Conversely, Chelsea’s road to redemption winds through unfamiliar territory, as they pursue their inaugural back-to-back away triumphs of the year. While the Blues have endured a 15-match clean sheet drought, Pochettino’s tenure at Stamford Bridge appears increasingly secure, buoyed by his side’s late-season resurgence.
Here are our storylines, how you can witness this captivating encounter, and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Wednesday, May 15 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: American Express Stadium – Falmer, England
- Watch: Peacock Premium
- Odds: Brighton +230; Draw +320; Chelsea -105
Team news
Brighton: Joel Veltman’s fitness hangs in the balance after sustaining a knock against Newcastle, while Julio Enciso and Joao Pedro, the latter nursing an injury sustained in training, are likely absentees. The treatment room remains a crowded place, with Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Pervis Estupinan, James Milner, Evan Ferguson, and Jan Paul van Hecke all sidelined. Tariq Lamptey could deputize for Veltman should the Dutchman fail to recover.
Potential Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Igor; Gilmour, Gross; Adingra, Buonanotte, Fati; Welbeck.
Chelsea: Lesley Ugochukwu and talismanic captain Reece James have rejoined the fray, but Ben Chilwell, Robert Sanchez, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Enzo Fernandez remain sidelined. Raheem Sterling, Malo Gusto, and Axel Disasi could be recalled, though James’ involvement from the start appears unlikely.
Potential Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.
Prediction
Brighton’s resilience may prove formidable, but Chelsea’s European ambitions burn with an intensity that could prove too hot to handle. A share of the spoils appears the ceiling for the depleted hosts, while a narrow Blues triumph looms as the most plausible outcome. Pick: Brighton 1, Chelsea 2.