The FA Cup Round of 32 match between Brighton and Chelsea will take place on February 8 at the Amex Stadium in Falmer. Brighton vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Brighton
The team confidently advanced past their first round in the current FA Cup campaign. Playing away, the club easily defeated Norwich 4-0. Notably, last season Brighton reached the Round of 16, where they lost away to Wolverhampton 0-1. The most successful run for the team in this tournament was in the 2018/19 season when they were stopped by Manchester City at the semi-final stage (0-1).
Defenders Ferdi Kadioglu and Pervis Estupinan, goalkeeper Jason Steele, and midfielders Solly March, James Milner, and Mats Wieffer will miss the game due to injuries. Notably, forward Evan Ferguson has transferred to West Ham.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 matches in this tournament (7 wins and 1 draw).
- At least three goals were scored in 7 of Brighton's last 10 FA Cup games over 90 minutes.
- Two or more goals were scored in the second half in 6 of the team's last 7 home matches in this cup.
Predicted lineup for Brighton (4-2-3-1)
Jason Steele – Pervis Estupinan, Jan Paul van Hecke, Adam Webster, Joel Veltman – Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari – Julio Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh – Jorginho Rutter.
Chelsea
The London side also easily passed the first stage of the tournament, thrashing Morecambe 5-0 at home. The team also started last season’s campaign confidently, eventually reaching the semi-final, where they lost to Manchester City (0-1). It is worth noting that before this, Chelsea reached the final three times but lost each time. The club last won the FA Cup in the 2017/18 season.
Due to injuries, midfielders Omari Kellyman and Romeo Lavia, as well as defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, are out of action. Forward Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension due to a failed doping test. Notably, forward Joao Felix, defenders Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell, and midfielders Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka have transferred to other clubs.
- The capital club has not lost in 6 of their last 7 games in this tournament (5 wins and 1 draw).
- At least four goals were scored in 6 of Chelsea's last 8 FA Cup matches.
- The London side has not lost in the second half in their last nine matches in this cup (6 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Chelsea (4-1-4-1)
Philip Jorgensen – Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reece James – Romeo Lavia – Joao Felix, Tyrique George, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto – Mark Gui.
Brighton vs. Chelsea: Match Prediction
Interestingly, right after this game, the teams will meet again at the Amex in the Premier League. The Londoners can reasonably expect a positive outcome in this encounter, as they have a decent record against their opponents. Since Brighton's promotion to the Premier League in the 2017/18 season, the teams have faced each other 16 times in the league and the English League Cup, with Chelsea winning 10 times and drawing 4. Only in the 2022/23 season did Brighton manage two victories.
Additionally, this match promises to be high-scoring. On average, around three goals are scored in matches between these clubs. Moreover, in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings in the Premier League and the English League Cup, both teams found the net. It's also worth noting that both teams have scored in all six of their last encounters at the Amex in the league.
My prediction: Double chance X2 and both teams to score – yes
