Brighton vs Chelsea: Preview and Betting Tips | FA Cup 2025

Chelsea have won the last four meetings between the clubs and Brighton have won just twice in 12 league matches with just two clean sheets in 16 EPL fixtures.

Match: Brighton v Chelsea
When: Saturday, 08 February 2025, 22:00
Where: Falmer Stadium

Brighton Form

From late November until the turn of the year, Brighton went on an eight-match winless streak in league action (six draws, two losses). A 2-2 draw at Aston Villa and a 1-1 home draw against Arsenal made it four straight stalemates. A 4-0 win at Norwich 4-0 FA Cup returned the Seagulls to winning ways.

A 2-0 league win at Ipswich was followed by a 3-1 win at Man Utd with just six shots at goal. A toothless home loss to Everton came next as they put up 0.73 xG from 69% possession. Last weekend saw a reckless team selection lead to a 7-0 loss at Nottingham Forest as they allowed six big chances.

Brighton Team News

Coach Fabian Hurzeler has nine different injury concerns to contend with. Ferdi Kadioglu and Igor Julio are absent in defence and Pervis Estupinan is doubtful.

Mats Wieffer, Yasin Ayari and Carlos Baleba will all need late fitness tests in midfield. James Milner is out and Solly March is a question mark. Brighton will surely not select five forwards and just one central midfielder as they did in their last match.

 Brighton Motivation

The Seagulls want to do something in the FA Cup and are likely to play their best XI in this one.

Their style is open and attacking and they won’t change that against The Blues. Motivation is higher due to all the former Seagulls players at Chelsea.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea’s last nine matches have only yielded three wins. In league action, their win last Monday came on the back of a run of just one victory in seven fixtures. A 2-1 home loss to Fulham and a 2-0 defeat at struggling Ipswich were dire results.

A 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace preceded a 2-2 home draw vs Bournemouth. They’ve had a slight improvement of late, wining 3-1 at Wolves and 2-1 at home to West Ham either side of losing 3-1 away to Man City.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca remains without injured defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Romeo Lavia is unlikely to play any part in midfield and Joao Felix has departed the club.

There could be some rotation with Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku getting opportunities to start. Pedro Neto is set for a recall after scoring in the last match as a substitute.

Chelsea Motivation

The team selection will give an indication of how seriously Maresca is taking the FA Cup. The squad is short in some areas and a top-four finish is the priority.

Chelsea will try to assert themselves on Brighton and look to win in 90 minutes.

Key Stats

Brighton have lost their last 4 matches vs Chelsea

Brighton have won just 2 of their last 12 league matches (2 clean sheets in 16)

Chelsea have won 10 of their last 16 matches in all competitions

Chelsea are winless in 4 away league matches (2 losses, 2 draws)

Verdict

Brighton are hit by injuries and are leaking goals for fun. Chelsea should progress if a strong XI is selected.

Best Bet: Chelsea win at 2.25
Value Bet: Chelsea win and both teams to score at 3.55