Chelsea and Brighton go return to Premier League action for Stamford Bridge on Saturday after both of dem clear lower-league opponents for EFL Cup midweek.
The Blues suffer small scare but still beat Lincoln City 2-1, while Brighton hammer Barnsley 6-0 thanks to new hero Diego Gomez wey score four goals.
Match Preview
Chelsea don end three-game winless run but e no too convincing against League One side Lincoln. Dem go first half down 1-0 after Rob Street score, but Tyrique George turn hero with one hot 20-yard strike and assist for Facundo Buonanotte inside two minutes for second half.
Even though performance no sweet the eyes, Enzo Maresca go dey glad say team don return to winning ways after back-to-back loss for league and Europe. Last weekend, dem lose 2-1 to Man United for Old Trafford, and dem even collect more yellow/red cards (six) than shots (five) that night.
But Chelsea still dey solid for Stamford Bridge. Dem dey unbeaten in 12 straight Premier League games for home, with seven clean sheets from their last nine.
As for Brighton, Diego Gomez turn superstar for EFL Cup as he net four goals for the 6-0 win over Barnsley, including two rockets from outside box. Na first time since Julio Baptista (Arsenal vs Liverpool, 2007) wey one player score four goals away for League Cup.
Fabian Hurzeler side don also trash Oxford United 6-0 earlier, making Brighton the first team to ever win back-to-back League Cup games by six goals or more. But their league form still dey shake: just one win from five Premier League games so far, and dem throw away 2-0 lead last weekend draw 2-2 with Tottenham.
Brighton still dey among the few teams wey never pick point away from home this season, but dem don already beat Chelsea two times back-to-back for FA Cup and Premier League last season.
Chelsea Premier League Form
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Chelsea All Competitions Form
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Brighton Premier League Form
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Brighton All Competitions Form
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Team News
Robert Sanchez don finish suspension after him early red card against United, so he dey available again. But Cole Palmer dey out for two to three weeks with groin injury, Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (concussion) also no go play. Buonanotte wey shine midweek no fit face him parent club.
Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile fit return, and Marc Guiu dey in line too. But Mudryk (suspended), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) still dey unavailable.
For Brighton, Gomez don make strong case to start after him four-goal show. Maxim De Cuyper and Mats Wieffer fit return from injury, but Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) still dey out. Brajan Gruda fit lose him spot in attack.
Chelsea Possible Lineup
Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Santos, Neto; Pedro
Brighton Possible Lineup
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Gomez, Mitoma; Rutter
Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Both teams go change their EFL Cup lineups for this one, but Chelsea get stronger first XI and better home record. Brighton dey struggle away for Premier League this season, while Chelsea don keep three straight clean sheets for home. Na why we dey tip Blues to edge am 2-1.
