Chelsea will face Brighton & Hove Albion in a friendly match as part of the Premier League Summer Series. After a convincing win over Wrexham, Chelsea will be looking to continue their impressive form under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Brighton, on the other hand, will be eager to build on their successful season and prepare for their upcoming Europa League campaign.
In their previous friendly against Wrexham, Chelsea showcased their depth by fielding several academy players. They dominated the match and secured a 5-0 victory, with goals from Ian Maatsen, Christopher Nkunku, Conor Gallagher, and Ben Chilwell. Despite the win, Pochettino emphasized the need for improvement. Chelsea will face tougher opponents in their upcoming friendlies against Newcastle and Fulham, as well as Borussia Dortmund.
Brighton had a remarkable season, finishing sixth in the Premier League and reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance, Brighton played an attractive brand of attacking football and earned praise for their summer transfer activity. Although they face uncertainty with their most in-demand players, they have retained most of their team from last season.
Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana due to injury, but Pochettino expects Reece James to join the team in the USA after recovering from an illness. With the quality of opposition increasing, Pochettino is likely to include more established players in the starting lineup, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva, Gallagher, and Chilwell.
Brighton will be missing Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder due to injury, while players such as Robert Sanchez, Aaron Connolly, and Andi Zeqiri have been left out as their agents negotiate potential moves. New signings Bart Verbruggen, James Milner, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Joao Pedro have made the squad, and Tariq Lamptey and Billy Gilmour could face their former club.
In terms of predictions, both teams are still finding their rhythm in pre-season, and rustiness could come into play. However, with the young players of Chelsea making an impact and the team eager to avenge their losses against Brighton last season, it is predicted that Chelsea will come out on top with a 2-1 victory.
