Chelsea and Brighton will do battle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts suffered their first league defeat of the season last weekend when falling to a 2-1 loss away at Manchester United.
That setback means Enzo Maresca’s men will start the weekend occupying sixth place in the top-flight standings, seven points behind early pacesetters Liverpool.
The Blues have since avoided a shock exit from the EFL Cup, coming from behind to claim a narrow 2-1 win over Lincoln City on Wednesday night.
As for Brighton, they also progressed to the fourth round of the EFL cup thanks to a 6-0 demolition of Barnsley.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Tottenham last Saturday, meaning that they have won just one of their opening five Premier League matches of the season.
How the bookies view it: Blues big favourites
Despite failing to win each of their last two Premier League matches, Chelsea are firm 4/5 favourites with Boylesports.
Brighton have lost each of their opening two Premier League away games of the season, and the bookies odds suggest they will suffer the same fate here, with a Seagulls success as big as 3/1 on Boylesports while the draw is also considered unlikely at 13/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Chelsea have held the upper hand in this fixture over the years, triumphing in 12 of the last 18 meetings between the pair.
However, it is worth noting that Brighton emerged victorious from one of the two Premier League encounters between the duo last term, not to mention they also dumped the Blues out of the FA Cup.
Players to watch: Pedro to produce?
Having registered two goals and three assists across his five Premier League appearances this season, Joao Pedro looks good value to deliver another goal involvement on Saturday at 4/5 on Bet365.
Yasin Ayari has scored in each of his last two outings for Brighton, making him an attractive option to make the net bulge on Saturday at 15/2 with Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Facundo Buonanotte is ineligible to face his parent club, however goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is available for selection after serving a one-game suspension in midweek.
Brighton boss Hurzeler will once again be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Adam Webster, Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Estevao; Pedro
Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score alongside over 2.5 goals looks well worthy of support at 10/11 on Boylesports.
This bet would have paid out in three of Chelsea’s last four Premier League matches, while it would have been a winning combination in each of Brighton’s last three top-flight tussles.
Elsewhere, Marc Cucurella looks a little overpriced to attempt at least one shot during this contest at 8/11 on Bet365 – the Spanish full-back has registered an effort on goal in each of his last three outings for Chelsea.
GambleAware