Chelsea vs Brighton Odds: Three tips as Chelsea look to close the gap in the league

Live on Amazon Prime Video, Chelsea welcome Brighton to Stamford bridge as The Blues look to make it 3 wins on the bounce during the festive period.

Thomas Tuchel's side managed a 3-1 away win on Boxing Day vs Aston Villa, thanks to a Brace of Jorginho penalties and a Romelu Lukaku header. They need a win here to keep Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in touching distance, with it looking increasing likely the title will be going back to the current champions.

Brighton managed their first league win in 12 attempts on Boxing Day, as they brushed past a Brentford side struggling on their travels, coming out on top 2-0 winners. Goals from top scorer Neal Maupay and Belgian Leandro Trossard, ensured they continued their best start to a Premier League campaign after 17 games, sitting comfortably on 23 points.

The last meeting between these sides ended goalless and that was in last seasons fixture at the bridge. Chelsea haven’t been unfamiliar with a home draw as of late, with 3 of their last 4 league games ending 1-1 on home soil.

I fancy Chelsea to edge Brighton here, and to get a more attractive price than the 2/5 I’m using 365s bet builder feature.

Despite what may have seen like a recent blip for this Chelsea side, the underlying numbers would suggest they were unlucky to drop points in some of those games, especially the 1-1 home draws with Everton and Leeds. They won the Xg battle but some distance, was just a case of failing to convert big chances. Now Lukaku is back amongst the goals they should be firing again.

They don’t tend to smash teams this Chelsea side, and Brighton certainly aren’t a team to roll over, so under 5 goals looks acceptable. Chelsea have also managed 4 or more corners in every Home league match this season.

A player who always stands out for me when I watch Chelsea, especially on home soil, I am surprised to see him at 7/1 for this bet.

6 goal contributions in his last 6 games shows he’s a key output for this Chelsea side going forward. In a recent home game Vs Leeds, he managed the joint highest WhoScored rating, and the game most recently was only bettered by Reece James and Jordan Pickford.

Only 2 players who have played over 10 games this season for Chelsea can better Mounts 7.29 Whoscored average, and Thiago Silva is one of them and won’t feature here. I feel this bet should have some legs given the output of mount, he’s always involved and shouldn’t be lower in the pecking order than Saul Niguez to pick up a WhoScored MOTM.

For the longshot, it would be rude not to have a nibble on a card double given Mr Mike Dean is at the whistle. 2 players who I think are vulnerable for a card here are Webster and Kovacic.

With Lukaku expected to make a full return, I think he can cause trouble for the two Brighton Centre halves. Webster averages the 2nd most fouls in the Brighton squad and has been booked in 2 of his last 4 games.

Kovacic should get his first start in ages after 2 cameo appearances from the bench. A thin Chelsea squad means he might play not fully fit and looks a good price for a booking. Brighton have the players to draw the fouls and with Kovacic next to Jorginho he should be kept busy Wednesday evening, hopefully resulting in a caution