Brighton vs Chelsea – FA Cup match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·8. Februar 2025

Brighton vs Chelsea – FA Cup match preview and team news

Brighton and Chelsea battle it out this weekend for a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Coincidentally, Saturday night’s fixture will be replicated next weekend as the two sides face off in the Premier League on Valentine’s Day.

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The Seagulls advanced into this stage of the competition by emphatically beating Norwich City 4-0 at Carrow Road.

However, Fabian Hurzeler has a plethora of injuries to contend with this weekend. Mats Wieffer and Solly March are ruled out as they continue to recover from recurring issues. Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba and Pervis Estupinan are all doubts.

There is one positive as January signing Eiran Cashin is ready to debut for his new club. The Irish defender isn’t cup-tied as he hasn’t played in the FA Cup for Derby County this season.

Chelsea also eased their way through to this stage of the cup after dispatching League Two strugglers Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s side succeeded in the Premier League on Monday night as they overcame West Ham. The winning feeling was tainted as the Blues’ two recognised strikes Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu suffered injuries.

The Blues’ offensive options are limited with Mykhaylo Mudryk temporarily suspended and Joao Felix moving to Milan on loan. Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees.

Brighton vs Chelsea – Match Preview and team news

Form

Brighton: WWWLL

Brighton suffered their worst ever Premier League defeat last weekend as they lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. A puzzling performance from the visitors saw them inexplicably unravel. Chris Wood netted a hat-trick, while Neco Williams and Jota Silva showed no mercy in the closing stages.

Remarkably, Fabian Hurzeler’s men are still in contention for the European places despite consecutive defeats, having lost to Everton a week prior to their humiliating outing at Forest.

No team in the top-flight have drawn more times than Brighton (10) this season. With the prospect of extra time and penalties, the Seagulls may fancy the chances of the tie going the distance tonight.

Chelsea: WDWLW

The Blues reclaimed their spot in the top four by beating London rivals West Ham 2-1 on Monday night.

Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter’s team were leading at the interval through captain Jarrod Bowen. However, the hosts fought back after the break with goals from Pedro Neto and an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal overturning the deficit.

Maresca’s men are yet to taste victory away from home in 2025 after failing to win in each of their last four games on their travels.

Last Meeting

Chelsea 4-2 Brighton, Premier League, 28th September 2024

It was the ‘Cole Palmer Show’ the last time these clubs encountered each other as the nonchalant Englishman grabbed all four of Chelsea’s goals. However, it was the visitors who first imposed themselves on proceedings. Georginio Rutter profited off indecisive defending by bravely heading in the opener.

After a brief spell of dominance, an inspired twenty-minute spell belonged to a certain Englishman. The equaliser was simplistic. Nicolas Jackson unselfishly teed up Palmer who passed the ball into an unguarded net.

Shortly after, referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot after Jadon Sancho was unfairly impeded by a combination of Rutter and Carlos Baleba. Palmer sent Bart Verbruggen the wrong way to dispatch the penalty with customary composure.

Chelsea’s number 20 then recorded his hat-trick in spectacular fashion. The midfielder stroked an inch-perfect free-kick into the top corner of Brighton’s net, arrowing the ball past the despairing Verbruggen.

Minutes after the third, Baleba interrupted his fun by capitalising on Robert Sanchez’s misplaced pass. But Palmer instantly restored the two-goal advantage with an instinctual near post finish.

The second the ball hit the back of the net, history was made. For the first time ever in the Premier League, a player had scored four goals before half-time in a single match.

After a thrilling first period, the second half was relatively dull and the scoreline remained unchanged at the final whistle.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the American Express Stadium will be at 20:00 GMT on Saturday 8th February 2025.

Who is the referee?

Jarred Gillett will be the match official. Darren Cann and Sam Lewis will assist him while Stephen Martin will be the fourth official. VAR will not be in operation.