Newly-promoted Brighton will play their first ever Premier League Boxing Day match at defending champions Chelsea, the two teams will clash on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. The two teams have met just eight times before and Chelsea collected six victories compared to just one for Brighton. The last direct meetings were in League Division Two in the 1988-1989 season, when Chelsea defeated the Seagulls in both league matches.
Chelsea can't seem to complete with runaway leaders Manchester City this season, the Blues are already 16 points behind, but they can surely push for a second-place finish. Last week Antonio Conte's men got held to a goalless draw at Everton, ending a three-game winning streak in all competitions. Alvaro Morata was suspended for that match but he should return to the starting eleven now, while David Luiz remains the only injury concern for the home side.
Brighton are doing pretty well in their maiden Premier League season, they are currently in 12th place and the relegation zone is five points away. Last week they secured a very important 1-0 home victory over Watford, ending a poor run of seven matches without a win. Steve Sidwell is injured and won't be able to play on Tuesday, but Shane Duffy will return to action after having missed last week's game through suspension.
Probable line-ups:
Chelsea: Courtois - Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill - Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Drinkwater, Alonso - Hazard - Morata
Brighton: Ryan - Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong - Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March - Gross - Hemed
My prediction: Chelsea to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 1.18
Draw - 8.00
Brighton win - 19.00
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