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Preview: Chelsea welcome Brighton to the Bridge

Preview: Chelsea welcome Brighton to the Bridge

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Neither Chelsea nor Brighton have really got going in the early stages of the 2025-26 season. Both will doubtless be hoping to earn a morale boosting win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

By Alex Roberts

Fabian Hürzeler’s side can take confidence from a comfortable 6-0 midweek Carabao Cup win over Barnsley, thanks to a terrific four-goal performance from Diego Gómez, going into this one.

As for Chelsea, a laboured 2–1 victory over Lincoln saw them go 1–0 down before scraping two unconvincing goals in quick succession just after half-time. The result posed more questions than answers, with pre-season confidence in Enzo Maresca’s young side beginning to wane.

Chelsea still have a goalkeeper problem

Filip Jörgensen was given a chance to put the pressure on Robert Sánchez against Lincoln following the Spaniard’s ridiculous red card in the 2-1 defeat to Man United in the previous game week, he did not take it.

The Dane flapped at every single cross, was bullied on several occasions by the Lincoln players and nearly killed the already fragile Wesley Fofana with a flying punch early, ending the game having made zero saves, one punch, and just one high claim.

Calls for Jörgensen to replace Sánchez had already fallen quiet, now they’re completely silent. Sánchez is likely to get his place back for the game against his former club now that his suspension is over, but that won’t fill fans with confidence either.

If Chelsea want to be challenging for the big titles, they need a ‘keeper they can depend upon.

Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh love playing Chelsea

Brighton faced Chelsea in two consecutive games last season, first in the FA Cup and then in the Premier League, winning 2-1 and 3-0 respectively. Across those two games, Mitoma and Minteh providing four goal contributions.

Minteh in particular has started the season well, bagging an assist in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth and then scoring in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. With 14 successful dribbles, 36 touches in the opposition box and the fact he’s only been dispossessed seven times so far this season, he’s clearly brimming with confidence.

Mitoma hasn’t quite started the season as well, although he did score the goal against Bournemouth, provided to him by Minteh, but considering his recent scoring record against Chelsea, don’t be surprised if he gets another here.

Team news

It remains to be seen whether Cole Palmer, whose long-standing groin issue flared up in the defeat to Man United, will make an appearance. Facundo Buonanotte would be a like-for-like replacement for the England international, but the Carabao Cup match-winner is ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday. 

Dário Essugo (thigh), Roméo Lavia (unspecified), Benoît Badiashile (unspecified), Liam Delap (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are all still absent and don’t look to be returning any time soon.

As for Brighton, Hürzeler could have left-back Maxim De Cuyper back in contention after a minor knee issue, while Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March (knee), and Adam Webster (knee) remain sidelined.

Prediction

Chelsea vs. Brighton has a tendency to produce plenty of goals, although we don’t think there will be anything to separate the two here. We’re going with a 2-2 draw at the Bridge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Chelsea welcome Brighton to the Bridge

Neither Chelsea nor Brighton have really got going in the early stages of the 2025-26 season. Both will doubtless be hoping to earn a morale boosting win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

By Alex Roberts

Fabian Hürzeler’s side can take confidence from a comfortable 6-0 midweek Carabao Cup win over Barnsley, thanks to a terrific four-goal performance from Diego Gómez, going into this one.

As for Chelsea, a laboured 2–1 victory over Lincoln saw them go 1–0 down before scraping two unconvincing goals in quick succession just after half-time. The result posed more questions than answers, with pre-season confidence in Enzo Maresca’s young side beginning to wane.

Chelsea still have a goalkeeper problem

Filip Jörgensen was given a chance to put the pressure on Robert Sánchez against Lincoln following the Spaniard’s ridiculous red card in the 2-1 defeat to Man United in the previous game week, he did not take it.

The Dane flapped at every single cross, was bullied on several occasions by the Lincoln players and nearly killed the already fragile Wesley Fofana with a flying punch early, ending the game having made zero saves, one punch, and just one high claim.

Calls for Jörgensen to replace Sánchez had already fallen quiet, now they’re completely silent. Sánchez is likely to get his place back for the game against his former club now that his suspension is over, but that won’t fill fans with confidence either.

If Chelsea want to be challenging for the big titles, they need a ‘keeper they can depend upon.

Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh love playing Chelsea

Brighton faced Chelsea in two consecutive games last season, first in the FA Cup and then in the Premier League, winning 2-1 and 3-0 respectively. Across those two games, Mitoma and Minteh providing four goal contributions.

Minteh in particular has started the season well, bagging an assist in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth and then scoring in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. With 14 successful dribbles, 36 touches in the opposition box and the fact he’s only been dispossessed seven times so far this season, he’s clearly brimming with confidence.

Mitoma hasn’t quite started the season as well, although he did score the goal against Bournemouth, provided to him by Minteh, but considering his recent scoring record against Chelsea, don’t be surprised if he gets another here.

Team news

It remains to be seen whether Cole Palmer, whose long-standing groin issue flared up in the defeat to Man United, will make an appearance. Facundo Buonanotte would be a like-for-like replacement for the England international, but the Carabao Cup match-winner is ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday. 

Dário Essugo (thigh), Roméo Lavia (unspecified), Benoît Badiashile (unspecified), Liam Delap (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are all still absent and don’t look to be returning any time soon.

As for Brighton, Hürzeler could have left-back Maxim De Cuyper back in contention after a minor knee issue, while Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March (knee), and Adam Webster (knee) remain sidelined.

Prediction

Chelsea vs. Brighton has a tendency to produce plenty of goals, although we don’t think there will be anything to separate the two here. We’re going with a 2-2 draw at the Bridge.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.