Brighton host Chelsea in Sunday's early kick-off in the Premier League and George Pitts provides his best bet.
Recommended bets
1pt Chelsea to take more corners on -2 handicap at 20/21
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Brighton and Hove Albion v Chelsea (1330 GMT kick-off)
Sunday's early kick-off comes from the Amex as Brighton host Chelsea, who were in Europa League action on Thursday night.
Maurizio Sarri's much-changed side drew 2-2 against MOL Vidi and his first-teamers will return full of confidence after ending Manchester City's unbeaten start to the season.
The Blues scored two without reply to beat the champions at Stamford Bridge and it was a timely boost after recent defeats to Wolves and Tottenham.
The Seagulls lost to Burnley last time out, ending a three-match unbeaten run, and will be hoping to get their first win over Chelsea since 1993.
Betting guide
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
An impressive win against City gave Chelsea a chance to close the gap between them and the top two. Brighton beat Man United on home soil early in the season but it is difficult to see them getting much from this one after a frustrating result at Burnley.
Best bet: Chelsea to take more corners on -2 handicap at 20/21
Brighton have taken the second-fewest amount of corners in the Premier League this season, 21 less than Chelsea in total. The visitors should have the better share of chances and with that take more set pieces at the Amex and the price for just -2 on the handicap is attractive. An away win and over 1.5 total goals takes you to nearly evens and it is also worth considering.
Goals: Glenn Murray to score and lose at 13/2
If Brighton are going to score on Sunday, they will be looking to their main man for inspiration. Glenn Murray, 35, has eight goal in 16 appearances in a Seagulls shirt this term - and seven of those strikes have come in front of the Albion fans. That is more than half of their home goals this term.
The fact he takes penalties for Brighton gives you a chance should you want to back him. He has full recovered from a shoulder injury but it is worth waiting until closer to kick-off to see whether he starts ahead of Florin Andone.
RequestABet: Chelsea to win, over 2.5 goals, 5+ Chelsea corners and Bruno to be carded at 12/1
Opta facts and statistics
- Brighton have lost each of their last eight games against Chelsea in all competitions, conceding 18 goals and scoring just once in return.
- Chelsea have won each of their six games against Brighton in league competition; their best 100% record against a single opponent in league history.
- Brighton are looking for their first victory against Chelsea in any competition since January 1933, when they won 2-1 in an FA Cup third round tie.
- Chelsea have won their first two Premier League games against Brighton without conceding (2-0 and 4-0) – the only other team they have won their first three games against in the competition without conceding is Portsmouth (won the first six without conceding).
- Brighton have lost just one of their last 10 home Premier League games (W5 D4). However, 80% of their home defeats in the competition have been against ‘big six’ opposition (4/5).
- Chelsea have lost their last two Premier League away games, last losing three in a row in March. They’d only lost one of their previous nine before this run (W7 D1 L1).
- While only Wolves (18) have used fewer players in the Premier League than Chelsea this season (20), no side has had more different goalscorers than the Blues (12). A leaguehigh 60% of players to play for Chelsea in the Premier League this season have scored.
- Brighton manager Chris Hughton won his first ever game against Chelsea in September 2010 (4-3 in the League Cup while in charge of Newcastle), but has gone winless in eight meetings in all competitions since then (D2 L6).
- Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has provided an assist in each of his last three Premier League games (4 assists in total). He’s never assisted a goal in four consecutive games in the competition before, with Cesc Fabregas in September 2014 the last player to do so for Chelsea.
- Glenn Murray’s goals have been worth nine points to Brighton in the Premier League this season – no player’s goals have been worth more for their side (level with Aubameyang for Arsenal and Richarlison for Everton).
Click the image below to get the goals, cards and corner statistics to assist you with your bets this weekend...
Odds correct as of 1400 GMT on 14/12/18
