An all-Premier League FA Cup fourth-round tie takes center stage at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night as Brighton & Hove Albion host Chelsea. The Seagulls will be looking for revenge after suffering a 4-2 league defeat at Stamford Bridge just over four months ago.
The Blues are aiming to win the trophy for the first time since 2018, having lost three straight finals between 2020 and 2022. However, this is a tough tie to call.
Enzo Maresca’s side comfortably beat League Two outfit Morecambe 5-0 in round three, though two-goal hero that afternoon Joao Felix is no longer with the club after joining AC MilanJoao Felix is no longer with the club after joining AC Milan on transfer deadline day. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Brighton, who have never won the FA Cup, overcame Norwich City away from home.
However, the Seagulls were thrashed 7-0 by Nottingham Forest in their last outing and manager Fabian Hurzeler has already demanded an immediate reaction from his side ahead the double header against Chelsea with the two sides set to meet in the Premier League next week.
Both clubs will fancy their chances of making it to Wembley come May, with this meeting a welcome distraction from the pressures of the Premier League.
Brighton Team News
Brighton have several injury concerns ahead of this tie. Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba, and Pervis Estupiñán are all doubtful, while Mats Wieffer and Solly March are still sidelined.
However, Eiran Cashin could be in line to play. The Seagulls are expected to go strong as they look to bounce back from their 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Chelsea Team News
Christopher Nkunku looks set to lead the line for Chelsea against Brighton, with Marc Guiu ruled out and Nicolas Jackson a major doubt. Both Guiu and Jackson picked up injuries during Monday night’s 2-1 win over West Ham, but Enzo Maresca’s initial prognosis was that neither player was seriously injured. However, speaking on Friday ahead of the trip to the Amex, the Italian was in far more pessimistic mood, revealing that young striker Guiu’s injury – believed to be an abductor issue – could rule him out for months.
“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury,” the Italian said. “Could be [long-term], yeah. We are still waiting but it doesn’t look a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months.”
With Joao Felix having been loaned to AC Milan on deadline day, and Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended following a failed drugs test, Maresca suddenly looks short on options in attack.
Enzo Maresca confident Nkunku is ready to step up despite heavy speculation he could be sold in January.
“Against West Ham he played half an hour and hopefully from now on he can more minutes,” Maresca said. “I was with the club altogether, we were sure before the window that Christo was one of the players who are intention was to keep him.”
Romeo Lavia also remains out with a muscle problem, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are longer term absentees.
Where to watch Brighton v Chelsea on TV
This FA Cup clash will take place at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, England, kicking off on Saturday, February 8 at 8:00 p.m. GMT.
ITV4 will broadcast the match live, whereas viewers can also stream the game on ITVX.
In the USA, the match will be streamed on ESPN+, and in Canada, live on TV with channel Sportsnet.
Despite the match being played by two Premier League clubs, there will be no VAR for the fourth-round tie, with the FA deciding to introduce Video Assistant Referees from the fifth round.
Therefore, the match will be officiated by Jarred Gillett, assisted by Darren Cann and Sam Lewis, with Stephen Martin as the fourth official. The Australian referee has previously taken charge of eight Chelsea games and seven Brighton matches.
Brighton vs. Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea travel to the Amex without a win in their last four away matches (D2 L2), but theyhave a solid record against Brighton having won seven of their last 11 encounters in all competitions and have also progressed from their last two FA Cup ties against the Seagulls – winning a fourth-round replay 4-0 in 1966-67 and winning a third-round tie 2-0 in 1972-73. There has been no shortage of goals when the two sides meet. In their last five matches, they have scored 22 goals between them.
Both teams have been in shaky form but Chelsea hold a slight advantage and should advance to the next round.
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