Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Chelsea, Premier League: Preview, team news, how to watch

Since the end of the November international break, Chelsea have played three home games, winning all three and conceding zero goals (including a 2-0 win over the seemingly unbeatable Manchester City).

Since the end of the November international break, Chelsea have played three away games, winning none, losing two, and conceding seven total goals to the likes of Wolves and Vidi FC.

Good luck trying to figure out this team.

Five of Chelsea’s next eight games (in all competitions) are at home, but this one’s away, at Fortress Amex, where Brighton have only lost five Premier League games since the start of the 2017-18 season.

Date / Time: Sunday, December 16, 13:30 GMT; 8:30am EST; 7pm IST

Venue: American Express Community Stadium, Falmer, England

Referee: Stuart Attwell — this will be just the third ever Chelsea match for the 36-year-old fresh face, and the first in the league, with two shock FA Cup draws so far under him (0-0 at Norwich last season; 1-1 vs. Southend in 2009).

Forecast: Mild and wet

On TV: none (UK); NBCSN (USA); Star Sports Select 2 (India); elsewhere

Streaming online: NBC Sports Live (USA); Hotstar (India); Fubo TV (affiliate link — USA only)

Brighton and Hove Albion team news: Chris Hughton has almost his full squad available, with only big body (and relative goal threat) Shane Duffy missing. The Rebulic of Ireland international is serving the second of his three-match suspension after head-butting former Chelsea prospect Patrick van Aanholt a couple weeks ago.

Sitting in 13th but just five points behind Manchester United in 6th, Brighton have every chance of continuing Chelsea’s Jekyll & Hyde home-and-away performance trend.

Chelsea team news: Victor Moses appears to have played his last game for Chelsea some time ago, and captain Gary Cahill is trending that way, too. Joining them with a definite real injury is Álvaro Morata, who limped off at half-time against Vidi FC on Thursday with a scary-looking knee injury. Loanee Mateo Kovačić is also nursing a knock to this leg, but was apparently fit enough to train yesterday.

Spurs have already won to stay in third, while both Chelsea and Arsenal have away games kicking-off at the same time. A win’s needed to keep pace.

Previously: One of those five losses at the Amex was to Chelsea last season, a comfortable 4-0 win for the Blues.