Team
news and stats ahead of Brighton vs Chelsea on the opening weekend of the
Premier League on Monday Night Football (kick-off 8.15pm).
Team news
Adam Lallana, Joel Veltman and Ben White could make Premier League debuts
for Brighton on Monday Night Football. Lallana and Veltman were signed from
Liverpool and Ajax respectively during the summer, while centre-back White
is back on the south coast following a successful loan spell with Leeds.
Christian Walton (ankle) and Florin Andone (knee) are the only players
unavailable to Graham Potter.
Christian Pulisic is set to feature for Chelsea after picking up an injury
at the end of last season
Hakim Ziyech will miss out for Chelsea due to a knee injury, Ben Chilwell is
not ready to feature after a heel concern, while the Amex Stadium clash
should come too soon for Thiago Silva.
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Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic are in contention, however, having
shaken off injuries picked up at the tail-end of last term.
Opta stats
Brighton boss Graham Potter has not ruled out making more signings but is
happy with his current squad, which includes Ben White after the defender
agreed a new four-year deal
Brighton have failed to win any of their six Premier League encounters with
Chelsea, losing five times and scoring just two goals in the process (D1).
Chelsea have never lost against Brighton in league competition, winning nine
and drawing one. The Blues have faced Brighton more times without ever
losing than they have against any other side in their league history.
Chelsea have lost two of their last three season openers in the Premier
League (W1), this after going 18 consecutive campaigns without defeat on the
opening matchday between 1999-00 and 2016-17.
This is the third time Chelsea are starting a Premier League campaign on a
Monday, with the Blues going on to win the title on the previous two
occasions (2014-15 and 2016-17).
Brighton have won just three of their 18 Premier League matches in 2020 (D9
L6), the fewest of any current side.
Chelsea shipped 54 Premier League goals last season, their most in a season
since 1996-97 (55) and their tally of just nine clean sheets was their
joint-lowest ever in a Premier League campaign, along with 1996-97 and
2015-16.
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