Premier League duo Brighton and Chelsea go head-to-head in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups included in our preview ahead of the action.
Brighton vs Chelsea Preview
It’s an all-Premier League affair in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday evening, as Brighton host Chelsea at the Amex.
Nine points separate the pair in the English top-flight table heading into the clash, with the Blues currently occupying fourth place, while the Seagulls are down in 10th place.
Last time out, Chelsea sealed a narrow 2-1 comeback win over West Ham. Meanwhile, Fabian Hurzeler’s side suffered a whopping 7-0 defeat to high-flying Nottingham Forest, following on from a 1-0 loss to Everton in the game prior.
The Blues, eight-time winners of the competition and semi-finalists last season, booked their spot in the fourth round thanks to a comfortable 5-0 win over Morecambe in the last round. Joao Felix, who has now gone out on loan to AC Milan, scored twice in that one, along with a brace from Tosin Adarabioyo and a goal from Christopher Nkunku.
#EmiratesFACup action at the Amex. âđ pic.twitter.com/58aJBNElbM
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 7, 2025
As for Brighton, they advanced in equally comfortable fashion as they overcame Championship side Norwich City 4-0 at Carrow Road, courtesy of goals from Solly March and Julio Enciso, and a Georginio Rutter brace.
Saturday evening’s clash will be the second time that the pair have met this term, with the East Londoners prevailing 4-2 at Stamford Bridge back in September, which extended their winning run over the Seagulls to four straight matches.
Brighton Team News
The hosts remain without numerous first-team stars, with all of Jason Steele (shoulder), Igor Julio (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), James Milner (thigh) and Solly March (muscular) ruled out due to their respective injury concerns.
Mats Wieffer (thigh), Carlos Baleba (muscular), Yasin Ayari (muscular) and Pervis Estupinan (unspecified) are also doubtful and face late fitness tests ahead of the match.
Eiran Cashin, who joined from Derby County towards the end of the January transfer window, could be in line to make his debut in central defence.
Chelsea Team News
The Blues, meanwhile, are without Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Omari Kellyman (hamstring), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Benoit Badiashile (thigh).
With such a large squad, Maresca is expected to make several changes. This puts the likes of Robert Sanchez, Josh Acheampong, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Marc Guiu in contention for starts.
Brighton vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Brighton Predicted Lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Cashin, Lamptey; O’Riley, Hinshelwood; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Chelsea Predicted Lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku
Brighton vs Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea are narrow 13/10 favourites to come out on top at the Amex according to the UK’s best football betting sites, while a win for Brighton is valued at around 2/1 and a draw is worth 5/2.
Based on recent history between the pair, with the Blues winning each of their last four competitive meetings, as well as the Seagulls’ poor results in the last couple of weeks, we at SportsCasting are predicting a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Chelsea
