Mauricio Pochettino started his pre-season tour with a massive 5-0 win over Wrexham. However, his side will continue on Sunday, as Chelsea vs Brighton Albion takes place at Lincoln Financial Field.
There’s never a club friendly game between the Blues and the Seagulls. They usually face each other with a high level of winning spirit, having seen them last season.
Roberto De Zerbi didn’t take it easy with the West London club last campaign. He defeated Chelsea both at home and away in the Premier League.
Brighton Albion have never won a game against the Blues. However, they claimed their first back-to-back victories under Frank Lampard and Graham Potter.
As a result, Mauricio Pochettino isn’t expected to hold back against the Seagulls on Sunday. Because he would want to continue his winning streak.
Chelsea vs Brighton Albion would be very interesting to watch, even though it’s just a club friendly. The Seagulls always want to win over the Blues.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men haven’t played any pre-season games this season. Therefore, they will be playing their first club friendly on Sunday.
Of course, they have sold Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool. However, the Seagulls have enough reinforcements to face the West London club at Lincoln Financial Field.
Chelsea vs Brighton Albion is never a derby match. However, the two teams usually go tough on each other, wanting to claim victory.
Mauricio Pochettino wouldn’t want the Seagulls to continue their winning run against Chelsea. As a result, he’s expected to choose his winning starting XI on Sunday.
The West London Club’s 90-minute display against Wrexham was impressive. It showed that the Blues are ready to start brilliantly this season.
With Brighton Albion participating in a European competition this season. They would want to gather enough momentum during the preseason.
Chelsea vs Brighton Albion team news
Mauricio Pochettino has a full squad on his USA pre-season tour. As a result, there are enough players to face Brighton Albion on Sunday.
Wesley Fofana is still out of the squad. The Frenchman is most likely to undergo surgery on his knee, making him unavailable for months.
Also, Benoit Badiashile isn’t part of the squad in the United States of America. The French centre-back will definitely miss the start of the season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left to join Marseille in Ligue 1. As a result, the Gabonese forward won’t be available to face the Seagulls.
Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku are already back at Cobham. However, they didn’t travel with the squad on the USA pre-season tour.
Interestingly, Reece James is now feeling better. Therefore, he has already traveled to join Chelsea for pre-season in the United States of America.
Mudryk, Fernández, Silva, Arrizabalaga, and Colwill didn’t feature against Wrexham. However, they are most likely to have some minutes on Sunday.
Obviously, Mauricio Pochettino tried to rest players who participated in the recent international games. Noni Madueke also didn’t play against Wrexham.
Cesare Casadei played the full 90 minutes in their previous club friendly. He was the only player with full minutes in their 5-0 victory.
However, the likes of Ângelo Gabriel, Andrey Santos, Malo Gusto, and others dazzled impressively. Frankly, the Blues are ready for the Seagulls.
On the other hand, Brighton Albion have some new signings to watch on Sunday. Joao Pedro is most likely to get a few minutes against Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi doesn’t have many players on the sidelines. Therefore, he has enough dangerous weapons to destroy the West London club.
Amazingly, Moisés Caicedo is expected to be part of Brighton Albion’s squad. Which means he may face Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field.
Of course, the West London club are hell-bent on signing the Ecuadorian youngster. However, they haven’t reached any agreement with Brighton Albion.
As a result, the Blues are most likely to see Moisés Caicedo play against them on Sunday. Perhaps his last game for the Seagulls.
Brighton Albion wanted Levi Colwill so bad in this summer’s transfer window. However, the West London club refused to sell the Englishman.
Chelsea possible lineup (4-2-3-1)
Cumming; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Hall; Enzo, Casadei; Nkunku; Ângelo, Jackson, Mudryk.
Brighton Albion lineup (4-2-3-1)
Steele; Estupinan, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman; Gilmour, Caicedo; Mitoma, Undav, Buonanotte.
Chelsea vs Brighton Albion predictions
Like I said earlier, Mauricio Pochettino would want to continue his winning streak. Of course, he wouldn’t want to lose any games on their USA pre-season tour.
As a result, he’s most likely to give Brighton Albion a hard time on Sunday. The Argentine manager confirmed that, he wants to win every game at Chelsea.
Judging from the Blues display against Wrexham on Thursday. The players were so hungry for victory, they played with a high level of winning spirit.
Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi knows how to hurt the West London club. Frankly, he defeated them at home and away last campaign.
The Seagulls gaffer is expected to start some youngsters on Sunday. Nevertheless, he won’t go easy on the West London club at Lincoln Financial Field.
Chelsea 3-1 Brighton AlbionÂ
Kick-off timeÂ
As regards the club friendly. Chelsea vs Brighton will kick-off at 00:00 BST on Sunday. And it will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.