By Alex Roberts
There is no such thing as a love misplaced between these two sides that aren’t fairly rivals however form of are as Chelsea journey south on Valentine’s Day. Maresca, who’s in want of a outcome as his facet’s rocky run continues, will likely be hoping to solidify Chelsea’s place within the prime 4.
There’s solely a lot Cole Palmer can do
Final season, Cole Palmer nearly single-handedly carried Chelsea to a sixth-place end, he’s nonetheless their fundamental man, main the best way for Premier League objectives and assists. Sadly for the lanky genius, he continues to be let down by these round him.
Palmer has created extra possibilities (66) than some other participant within the Premier League season. He’s additionally created 32 possibilities since 4 December with out registering a single help in that point.
His physique language is changing into increasingly more pissed off, it’s straightforward to inform he’s beginning to lose a bit of religion in his fellow attackers. Chelsea followers will probably be hoping he doesn’t lose religion within the golf equipment ‘mission’ too.
Which Brighton will flip up?
After a powerful begin to the season, it’s been one step ahead, one step again for Brighton. Their spectacular 3-1 win over Man United at Previous Trafford was undone by two consecutive defeats to Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Brighton had been by far the higher facet within the two membership’s FA Cup tie, regardless of Chelsea’s domination when it comes to possession, however that doesn’t imply the identical facet will flip up on Friday.
Chelsea didn’t discipline their finest XI, though an excellent chunk of them had been in there. Ought to they add the ultimate couple of items to the puzzle, it could throw the Seagulls off a bit of.
Burn out in central midfield
It’s wild that Chelsea have spent all that cash however solely have two prime class choices within the centre of the park. Enzo Fernández is clearly nonetheless attending to grip with taking part in within the Premier League, regardless of a purple patch earlier within the season, however the enchancment is obvious.
Exterior of Palmer, former-Brighton participant Moisés Caicedo has arguably been Chelsea’s finest performer this season, making a large 139 recoveries, 45 tackles, and 33 interceptions. He’s channelling his inside N’Golo Kanté, and the followers love him for it.
Caicedo is beginning to look a bit of leggy although, and will the Ecuadorian choose up any form of critical harm, Chelsea’s midfield wouldn’t simply be uncovered, it might be huge open.
The Georginio Rutter present
Just a few eyebrows had been raised when Brighton determined to splash a club-record switch charge to safe the Frenchman’s signature from Leeds, regardless of his spectacular season within the Championship. It’s truthful to say he’s silenced the doubters.
Rutter was the star of the present within the FA Cup sport, bagging Brighton’s equaliser and offering the help for Kaoru Mitoma’s winner.
He scored within the reverse Premier League fixture too. He clearly loves taking part in in opposition to Chelsea, don’t be shocked if he finally ends up both scoring or helping in opposition to the Blues but once more.
Prediction
Brighton deserved their win the opposite day, however we don’t see them pulling off an identical form of outcome on Valentine’s Day. We reckon the factors will probably be shared, and it’ll be 1-1 on the AMEX.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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