Chelsea vs Brighton Preview
Chelsea and Brighton have momentum after excellent starts to the 2026/27 campaign and a draw is likely on Sunday. Joao Pedro can’t stop scoring and the Blues’ striker can get on the scoresheet again in the Premier League.
Key Stats - Pedro Purple Patch
- Chelsea are unbeaten in 5 consecutive games.
- Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has scored 8 goals in his last 6 games
- Brighton are unbeaten in their last 6 matches.
H2H
Chelsea have a 16-7 advantage against Brighton, alongside five draws.
Alonso’s Chelsea Are Clicking
Chelsea have hit strong form under new manager Xabi Alonso and are unbeaten in five successive games. Joao Pedro has scored five goals in three starts during that period.
The Blues started a three-match winning streak with a one-sided 3-1 home win against Real Sociedad. Pedro found the net twice in that victory.
Alonso’s side started the 2026/27 Premier League season with a 3-2 win against rivals Fulham. Pedro scored in the opening minute and the Blues had 2.24 XG.
The west London side continued their winning streak after a 2-0 EFL Cup home win over Luton. Danny Welbeck scored on his debut and a late Luton own goal secured the win.
Brighton on an Early Season Roll
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton are building momentum after a six-match unbeaten run, including five wins.
The Seagulls won three matches in a row without conceding before a 0-0 Conference League draw at Tromso. Brighton hit back with a commanding 4-0 home triumph against Aston Villa on Sunday. Hurzeler’s team had 3.77 XG and faced no shots on target.
The Sussex side also won 4-0 against Tromso and progressed to the Conference League group stage. Brighton were on top with 78% possession and Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper, Mats Wieffer and Olivier Boscagli scored.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Chelsea (3-4-3): Robert Sanchez; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Malo Gusto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers
Full-back Marco Palestra and midfielder Jordan Henderson are unavailable due to injury.
Midfielder Moises Caicedo and attacker Emmanuel Emegha are injury doubts. Xabi Alonso was cautious over Caicedo’s return for the Brighton clash and said, “Let’s see, hopefully Moi could make it for the weekend.”
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Bart Verbruggen; Mats Wieffer, Luka Vuskovic, Lewis Dunk, Olivier Boscagli; Pascal Gross, Yasin Ayari; Diego Gomez, Jack Hinshelwood, Maxim De Cuyper; Charalampos Kostoulas
Attackers Yankuba Minteh, Stefanos Tzimas, Karou Mitmoa and Evan Ferguson are ruled out.
Striker Georginio Rutter is also an injury doubt. Fabian Hurzeler addressed Rutter’s absence for the Tromso game and said:
“Rutter we have to see, he's an issue, it's not a big issue, but therefore we have to go day by day and see how far, he will be.”