Brighton vs. Chelsea Prediction: Will Seagulls Compound Blues’ woes?

Two European contenders go head-to-head in the Premier League on Tuesday, as Brighton & Hove Albion host Chelsea.

• Chelsea have lost ground in the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification 

• Brighton & Hove Albion are in good form as they eye a place in continental competition

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea Odds

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My +145 Pick for Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea 

Back Brighton & Hove Albion to beat Chelsea. Follow the form book for this game - Brighton have been excellent of late, while Chelsea have been poor.

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Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes Hanging by a Thread

Chelsea will almost certainly be absent from the Champions League next season. To stand a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe’s foremost competition, Liam Rosenior’s side needed to beat Manchester United on Saturday. They created the better opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, yet their failure to take any of them led to a 1-0 defeat. It was a huge missed opportunity for Chelsea.

Sixth spot, where Chelsea sit now, could yet be enough for the Champions League, but it would require Aston Villa to both finish fifth in the Premier League and win the Europa League. It is more likely that a top-five finish will be required for a seat at Europe’s top table. Following results over the weekend, Chelsea are now seven points adrift of fifth.

It is still mathematically possible for Rosenior’s team to overturn that deficit, but it would take quite the turn of events for Chelsea to do so with just five rounds of fixtures remaining, particularly as they are in such poor form. Take out the victory over third-tier outfit Port Vale in the FA Cup and Chelsea have lost six matches on the spin in all competitions. In the last five of those, the west Londoners have not even managed to score a goal. 

“It’s so difficult,” Rosenior said after the defeat by Manchester United. “Today to give up one shot on target when we’re down to 10 men on a restart [and concede] and we have wave after wave of attack and hit the woodwork four times. I don’t want my team to feel like everything’s against it.

“We just need to win the next game. We can’t think of other teams but worry about ourselves and get in bright in early tomorrow to make it right.”

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In-Form Brighton Targeting Qualification for European Soccer

It looked like Brighton & Hove Albion were about to suffer defeat on Saturday, only for Georginio Rutter to score an equalizer against Tottenham Hotspur in second-half stoppage time. That goal broke Tottenham hearts and earned Brighton a 2-2 draw which means they have now gone four games unbeaten in the Premier League. Only Manchester City have outperformed the Seagulls over the last six matches.

Fabian Hurzeler was under massive pressure as Brighton boss a few months back, but he is sitting more comfortably now. Brighton are ninth in the table as things stand, but if results go their way in the midweek fixtures, they will be sixth heading into the weekend. Given the top eight will probably qualify for Europe, the Seagulls are in a good position.

The job is not done yet, though, and a streaky team like Brighton could yet miss out on their target. Hurzeler will not allow his players to take their foot off the gas now the finish line is in sight.

“We showed unbelievable belief throughout the whole game,” the manager said after the draw with Spurs. “We didn’t create so many big chances, but in the second half we controlled the game but then they had one special moment. But we had the belief to make it 2-2. We’re disappointed that it is only a point because we came here to win but overall it’s a good 2-2. We performed not at our highest level but we showed character and resilience.

“We’re sticking together as a group and when our habits and standards are right we can compete with every team in the league. We are still in a good run and now the challenge is the next game. There are five games to go and now we get ready for Chelsea.”

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Brighton to March on as Pressure Intensifies on Rosenior 

Liam Rosenior’s appointment as Chelsea manager in January was not well received by large sections of the club’s fan base. Chelsea’s owners Blueco are hugely unpopular with the Stamford Bridge faithful, and Rosenior’s work at sister side Strasbourg meant he was viewed as a company man. The supporters also questioned his lack of coaching experience at the highest level.

It is increasingly hard to envisage Rosenior being at Chelsea this time next year. The club will not want to pull the plug over the summer, but a poor end to the campaign could force their hand. Chelsea may still be looking upwards for now, but two or three more negative results could easily leave them in mid-table.

This trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday will be tough. Unlike Chelsea, the Seagulls have found form at the right time as they attempt to qualify for Europe. A win in midweek would see them climb above Chelsea in the standings - quite the incentive for Hurzeler and his players.

Chelsea have the quality to beat any team in the Premier League on their day, but this group of players is low on confidence and self-belief. The opposite is true of Brighton, who will look to put Chelsea under pressure from the first whistle. Go for a home win in this one.

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How to Watch Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea

• Teams: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea

• Location: Amex Stadium, Brighton, England

• Date and Time: Tuesday 21st April, 3:00PM ET

• How to Watch: USA Network