Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is expecting Chelsea and Brighton to share the points when they face each other this weekend.
Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson bemoaned the Blues’ lack of consistency, but he feels Sunday’s opponents are suffering from the same issues:
“This one could go anywhere. It’s a hard game to call. You just don’t know what you’re gonna get with Chelsea. Last week, I thought they did well in the first half against Newcastle United. I thought they were the better team but they just didn’t turn up for the second half.”
“It’s the same with Brighton. You never know what you’re going to get. They haven’t won too many games in the last seven or eight. Now they are going on a little bit of a run. They were five games without a win heading into last weekend’s match against Forest. Now they are six games without a defeat. They’re picking up.”
Merson has gone with a 2-2 draw, which is not a result that will please Chelsea supporters, especially with the game being played at Stamford Bridge.
Brighton’s injury crisis could help Pochettino’s side
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Tariq Lamptey and Ansu Fati could be sidelined for an extended period, along with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Pervis Estupinan and Solly March.
Julio Enciso and Adam Webster are also on the treatment table, while captain Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud will be unavailable due to suspension. The fact that their opponents will have to field a much-weakened team should aid Chelsea’s chances of winning the match.
Chelsea could have £58m signing back in the squad on Sunday
Romeo Lavia has been pictured back in full training for the first time since September. The Belgian international has yet to make his debut due to fitness problems following his arrival from Southampton in the summer.
However, there is a decent chance that the midfielder will be named on the substitutes bench to face Brighton.
