English Premier
2025-09-27 - Chelsea vs Brighton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 27th September 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Chelsea
The performance was far from the level expected by Enzo Maresca and the squad players will have done little to push their way into the Premier League or Champions League starting elevens. Ultimately the important factor is that Chelsea progressed in the League Cup Third Round and avoided the upset that was on at half time, while also ending a poor run of results out of the September international break.
The manager and the fans will be expecting to get things turned around in the bigger competitions entered and that begins this weekend when Chelsea are back in Premier League action. Three big games are coming up at Stamford Bridge before the next international break and The Blues have a 1-1-0 record here in the Premier League.
Chelsea had failed to win any of 3 games in all competitions and suffered back to back defeats when falling 1-0 behind at Lincoln City, although two goals in quick succession in the second half helped them win that Third Round tie. The side are unbeaten in 6 home games in all competitions and Chelsea have won 5 of those fixtures.
Robert Sanchez is available having served a suspension and the likes of Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro are also expected to be involved. However, there is more uncertainty around Cole Palmer and some reports believe he is set to miss the next three games before the international break.
Brighton
The Premier League form has been a little inconsistent to say the least, but Brighton's squad players have secured a second 0-6 away win in the League Cup. A crushing win at Barnsley will serve as a reminder to manager Fabian Hurzeler that he does have some solid options within the squad, although the key players are well rested and expected to be restored this Saturday.
Blowing a 2-0 home lead against Tottenham Hotspur and dropping two points means Brighton are 14th in the Premier League table with 5 points from the opening five games played. The Seagulls have a 0-0-2 away record where they have scored 1 goal and conceded 4.
Brighton have lost 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions since the defeat at Everton, but a couple of those matches have been against lower League opponents in the Cup. Losses at Everton and Bournemouth in the Premier League does mean Brighton have been beaten in 4 of their last 6 away League fixtures going back to the end of last season.
Adam Webster suffered an injury that is set to keep him out for the majority of the season, while the likes of Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March are going to be missing several weeks. Maxim De Cuyper has been edging back to fitness and should be fit enough to travel this weekend.
Head to Head
Chelsea and Brighton both beat the other at home convincingly in the Premier League last season, while the latter also beat Chelsea in the FA Cup at the Amex Stadium.
Chelsea have won 3 in a row at home against this opponent in all competitions.
Prediction
It was the Cole Palmer show when Chelsea beat Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last season, but the England international is a doubt this weekend.
He scored all four Chelsea goals in that victory between the 21st and 41st minute, but Enzo Maresca's men have shown they can compete pretty well without Cole Palmer. They secured wins over West Ham United and Fulham while Palmer was out last month and Enzo Maresca has been able to give some key players a week away from action to freshen things up.
Joao Pedro is one of those players and the former Brighton player is going to be a key for the home team.
No one will doubt the attacking qualities available to the Chelsea manager, even if Cole Palmer and Liam Delap are missing, and this is a team that have continued to find a solid route to goal. They may be relying on some inexperience in the forward areas, but Chelsea have been creating good chances and they do have home advantage.
Brighton have perhaps not earned as many points as the performances have deserved, and Fabian Hurzeler is still trying to find the right blend in his team selections. Defensively there have been some real issues and those could be on display again, although Brighton are likely going to pose plenty of problems for their hosts.
Ultimately Brighton have just found it tough for consistency in the final third in the first two away Premier League games played.
That is where the absence of Joao Pedro is telling and it would not be a surprise to anyone if the Brazilian striker is the difference maker for Chelsea on the day.
Games between Chelsea and Brighton have featured plenty of goals in recent seasons and this is perhaps going to be another.
The edge has to be with the home team though and Chelsea can be backed to get back on track in the Premier League with an important three points at the start of an important week for the club.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
