Chelsea play hosts to Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening with the hopes of a victory that would see them move into the top four in the Premier League table pipping West Ham United.
Thomas Tuchel’s side ensured their place in the FA Cup finals over the last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 triumph over Premier League table-toppers Manchester City, with Hakim Ziyech proving the matchwinner for the west Londoners.
The way things are, the Stamford Bridge giants are fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed West Ham United, who were handed a 3-2 defeat at Newcastle United last Saturday.
The race for the top four finish in top-flight action is entrancing, with just Manchester City and Manchester United secure of a spot in the Champions League positions and the likes of Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool FC battling out it amongst themselves to close the gap on Leicester City who sit third in the ladder.
Brighton, on the other hand, will come into the upcoming midweek contest in London on the back of a goalless draw with Everton, which did little to help their ever-lasting battle to ward off the drop zone.
The Seagulls are as of now sixteenth in the table, six points clear of eighteenth-placed Fulham and boss Graham Potter would be hopeful of his players to deliver a confident showing at the Bridge and take all three points in a shock result which would aid them greatly in their quest to survive in the Premier League.
Tuesday evening’s clash between the two sides remains Chelsea’s to lose in light of the recent run of form exhibited by Thomas Tuchel’s outfit but few would count out Graham Potter and his Brighton side of putting together a plaudit-worthy showing and make major dents in Chelsea’s top-four hopes.
WHEN AND WHERE?
It's matchday! ✊
Chelsea vs Brighton. COYB! #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/7Tnu83GhtA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2021
Date – 20 April Tuesday
Time – 12:30 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Thomas Tuchel would be crossing fingers on the availability of Andres Christensen who has been a recent absence from the Chelsea teamsheet owing to a muscle injury.
Should the Danish international centre-back return to the fold ahead of the Brighton clash he would be in line to take his spot in the three-man backline for the Blues alongside Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpicuelleta.
Thiago Silva sustained a back issue last time around in FA Cup action and doubts remain over the veteran Brazillian being a part of the matchday squad for the forthcoming fixture.
Mateo Kovacic was another face missing from action in the win over Manchester City and the midfielder is one player in his ranks that Tuchel would be counted upon to return to fitness as the season nears its course of action in the coming weeks.
KEY BATTLE
Christian Pulisic vs Danny Welbeck
Pulisic has been in fine form of late in the final third of the patch despite weeks of inactivity in the early days of Thomas Tuchel at the Bridge but with the former Dortmund man returning to his very best on the attacking front, hopes would be of Pulisic to end the season on a high.
Welbeck is Brighton’s main man on the patch these days and the England international is one player the Blues defence will have to keep in check over the course of the 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
MATCH PREDICTION
𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙤𝙣! 💪#CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/t9M7q9RxAu
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 19, 2021
Tuchel’s men, being the favourites for their next outing in top-flight action, would be backing themselves to obtain the desired result and take all three points to move into the top-four of the Premier League.
We predict the west London giants to clinch a 4-0 win over Brighton come Tuesday.
