The game in hand has finally arrived for Chelsea. What can Maurizio Sarri expected from a Brighton side with their backs against the wall?
Because of the League Cup final, the FA Cup, and the Europa League, Chelsea has been unable to play Brighton for months after the initially scheduled date. That will finally be fixed just as Chelsea is clinging on to their top four hopes by their fingernail and as Brighton looks nervously over their shoulder at relegation.
Mind, Brighton probably does not have to worry about the drop. The team had a bad run but it is an extremely well organized side that can beat any team outside the top six on their day and can give the top six troubles the rest of the time. They will not roll over for the Blues but they also will not feel pressured into a result in the same way that Cardiff was pressured.
Maurizio Sarri’s biggest concern should be that Brighton needs the win more. They are probably not worried about relegation, but that specter will affect them more than it will the Blues and the top four race given recent performances from the two sides. Hughton’s team will be ready but will Sarri’s?
Brighton still sticks rigidly to their single striker formation and four at the back. The only thing that might change is how advanced the wingers are and the shape of the midfield trio. Given that Chelsea is expected (and should) have a ton of the ball, Brighton will most frequently be in their defensive 4-5-1 shape.
Defensively they will do what most opponents do against Chelsea; they will park the bus and stay compact as they look for the counter. Pretty much every team that has done that as of late has caused Chelsea issues and Sarri has done little to solve the problem. Opposition managers are basically passing their notes around titled “How to slow Sarri down (and maybe even nick a cheeky goal!)”.
So as Chelsea pushes up to pass the ball around the Brighton box, Brighton will be waiting to launch it up to their striker to send the rushing wingers into a run. They will aim to counter all day and they will do so very effectively given how well Hughton sets the side up.
Mind, Chelsea beat Brighton already this season with Pedro and Eden Hazard finding the back of the net. The Blues have been here before which can both help and hurt.
If Chelsea can actually penetrate instead of just possess, this one should be easy enough. But Cardiff showed how “easy enough” is rarely that for Chelsea anymore. Brighton will be a similar challenge if not a much more difficult one.
And do not forget, Brighton will likely go into the match with more fight than Chelsea has shown as of late. They are looking at the potential of relegation, however slim it may be. The Europa League safety net could make Chelsea complacent in the league and Hughton will be hoping that he comes out on the right side of that psychological battle. Sarri, meanwhile, will hope his side shows the right mentality that he has been searching for all season.