As experts disagree on their predictions, Chelsea is favored to surprise Brighton.
Chelsea news: The Blues will host Brighton at Stamford Bridge in an effort to snap a four-game losing streak.
As the Blues seek their first victory since the international break, Chelsea has been predicted to extend their winless streak across all competitions. A major low for the team that was the European champions just two years ago, their dismal form has left them behind even the top half of the table as mid-April approaches.
Despite having three different managers after the interval, they have failed to taste victory and have not scored a single goal either. The last time the Blues scored was in a 2-2 tie with Everton, so it goes beyond just international competition.
The Seagulls' Saturday match against top-four contender Brighton at Stamford Bridge is a scathing indictment of the situation at SW6, especially after Chelsea hired the player of the year, manager, coaching staff, and recruitment team from the south coast club.
Graham Potter's honeymoon period at Chelsea was cut short by a shocking and costly 4-1 loss in the rematch, which also marked the beginning of an 11-game streak with just one league victory. Even since then, a lot has changed, albeit not always for the better.
This constant upheaval and change, according to Chris Sutrton, will work to Brighton's advantage. For his weekly predictions, he stated, "I was in Madrid with BBC Radio 5 live in midweek to cover Chelsea, who have not scored a goal in any of their last four games. "Their current drought has lasted longer than six hours overall.
The way Brighton play might help Chelsea in certain ways; the Blues had a few early opportunities to strike on the break against Real, but I'm not sure what system Frank Lampard will employ this time.
Lampard utilized a back four in his first game back against Wolves last Sunday, but he employed a back three in the Champions League. They haven't found the net, therefore it doesn't matter whatever way he has played. Everyone assumed that Lampard's position would only last through the conclusion of the current campaign, but I'm sure he harbored dreams that he would do well enough to keep it, and this has been the worst possible start for him.
With only nine games left in his second stint, Lampard is the fourth manager to preside over a game under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital axis. Due to his recent two losses, he will be eager to win in order to have the best possible preparation for the second leg against Real Madrid.
Lampard's appointment was seen as temporary by all, lasting just until the end of the current campaign, but Sutton said: "I'm sure he harbored hopes of doing enough to get it permanently, and this has been the worst possible start for him."
If he wants to turn things around, he needs a couple of big wins quickly, but Chelsea won't be able to gain anything from this match.
Brighton will understandably be hurt by the way they were defeated by Tottenham last week and the bad choices that went their way. The Seagulls are a fantastic squad to watch because of their unique style of play. They ought to have received much more against Spurs, but I believe they will be rewarded this week.
Sutton projects Chelsea to defeat Brighton, 1-2.
Mark Lawrensen, a former Liverpool player, predicts a different outcome. "Brighton were robbed last week at Tottenham," he claimed. "Those choices were completely absurd, but of course they lost.
"I'll back Frank Lampard to win Chelsea's first game back at home. He won't want to have played three and lost three else they'll be seeking for another interim manager!"
Prediction by Lawrenson: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
