FA Cup Fourth Round Preview: Brighton vs Chelsea
Published:
Fixture: Brighton vs Chelsea
Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: American Express Community Stadium, Brighton
Match Overview
Brighton & Hove Albion will host Chelsea in a highly anticipated FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Amex Stadium. With both teams enduring mixed form in recent weeks, this clash offers a chance for redemption and a potential deep run in the competition.
Brighton come into this game reeling from a 7-0 hammering at the hands of Nottingham Forest, while Chelsea are also looking to bounce back after their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. The FA Cup presents a perfect reset button for both teams.
Recent Form & FA Cup Journey
Brighton & Hove Albion (Last 5 Matches in All Competitions)
- L 0-7 vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- L 0-1 vs Everton (Premier League)
- W 3-1 vs Manchester United (Premier League)
- W 2-0 vs Ipswich Town (Premier League)
- W 4-0 vs Norwich City (FA Cup Third Round)
Brighton’s recent results have been a rollercoaster, with convincing wins over Man United and Ipswich, but also back-to-back defeats without scoring.
Chelsea (Last 5 Matches in All Competitions)
- W 2-1 vs West Ham (Premier League)
- L 1-3 vs Manchester City (Premier League)
- W 3-1 vs Wolves (Premier League)
- D 2-2 vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
- W 5-0 vs Morecambe (FA Cup Third Round)
Chelsea have only lost once in their last five matches, but defensive issues have crept in, conceding six goals in their last three games.
Head-to-Head & FA Cup History
- Chelsea have won five consecutive matches against Brighton, including a 4-2 victory in September.
- Brighton last beat Chelsea in October 2022 (4-1 at the Amex).
- Chelsea have won the FA Cup eight times, with their last triumph in 2018.
- Brighton’s best FA Cup run was reaching the final in 1983, where they lost to Manchester United.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion Team News
Injuries & Suspensions:
- Igor (Thigh injury) – Out until June
- James Milner (Hamstring injury) – Doubtful
- Jason Steele (Shoulder injury) – Out until March
- Mats Wieffer (Thigh injury) – Doubtful
- Solly March (Knock) – Doubtful
- Pervis Estupinan (Muscle injury) – Doubtful
- Ferdi Kadioglu (Toe injury) – Unknown return date
Possible XI (4-5-1)
GK: Bart Verbruggen
DEF: Joël Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster
MID: Jack Hinshelwood, Matt O’Reilly
ATT MID: João Pedro, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma
ST: Danny Welbeck
Key Player: Kaoru Mitoma – His dribbling and pace can cause problems for Chelsea’s full-backs.
Chelsea Team News
Injuries & Suspensions:
- Benoît Badiashile (Muscle injury) – Mid-February return
- Romeo Lavia (Knock injury) – Mid-February return
- Wesley Fofana (Hamstring injury) – Out until May
- Mykhailo Mudryk (Suspended by the FA indefinitely)
Possible XI (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sánchez
DEF: Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella
MID: Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández
ATT: Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho
ST: Nicolas Jackson
Key Player: Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s most creative outlet, he can unlock Brighton’s defence with his movement and vision.
Tactical Breakdown & What to Expect
Brighton’s Approach
- Possession-based style, looking to play out from the back.
- Overlapping full-back Veltman providing width.
- High pressing, aiming to force mistakes from Chelsea’s midfield.
- Vulnerable defensively, having conceded eight goals in their last two games.
Chelsea's Approach
- Quick transitions, using the pace of Madueke, Palmer, and Jackson.
- High defensive line, allowing them to push Brighton deeper.
- Set-piece threat, with James and Cucurella capable of delivering dangerous balls.
Prediction: Blues to Edge a Close Contest
Brighton will be eager to make amends for their humiliating defeat to Nottingham Forest, but Chelsea’s superior quality and squad depth should see them through.
Final Score: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea’s attacking firepower should be enough to secure a place in the next round.
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With both teams looking to bounce back, expect a thrilling encounter at the Amex Stadium as Chelsea aim for FA Cup progression while Brighton hope for an upset.
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