Chelsea have been tipped to continue their winless run in all competitions as the Blues look for a first victory since the international break. Their poor form has left them adrift of even the top half of the table entering mid-April, an serious low for the club that were European champions nearly two years ago.
After the break they are yet to taste victory despite using three seperate managers, not scoring a single goal either. That extends beyond the internationals too, with a 2-2 draw against Everton the last time the Blues scored.
With top four chasing Brighton visiting Stamford Bridge on Saturday the Seagulls continue to be everything that Chelsea aren't, a damning indictment of the state of things at SW6 after taking on the player of the season, manager, coaching staff and recruitment team from the south coast club.
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For Graham Potter it was a shock and damaging 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture that ended the honeymoon period for him at Chelsea, ending a nine-game unbeaten run and starting a run of just one league win in 11. Even since then things have changed dramatically, but not for the better.
It is this consistent turmoil and change that Chris Sutrton things will play into Brighton's hands. "I was in Madrid with BBC Radio 5 live in midweek to cover Chelsea, who have not scored a goal in any of their past four games," he said for his weekly predictions. "Their drought has now lasted more than six hours in total.
"The way Brighton play might suit Chelsea in some respects - the Blues had a couple of early chances against Real on the counter-attack - but I don't really know what system Frank Lampard will try this time.
"Lampard used a back four in last weekend's defeat by Wolves in his first game back in charge, but went with a back three in the Champions League. Whichever way he has played, it hasn't worked because they haven't found the net. Everyone viewed Lampard's appointment as short-term, just until the end of the season, but I am sure he harboured hopes of doing enough to get it permanently - and this been the worst possible start for him."
Lampard is the fourth manager to take charge of a game under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital axis and may only have nine games left of his second spell. With two defeats in two, he will be keen to prepare for the second leg against Real Madrid in ideal fashion with a win.
"Everyone viewed Lampard's appointment as short-term, just until the end of the season, but I am sure he harboured hopes of doing enough to get it permanently - and this been the worst possible start for him," Sutton explained.
"He needs a couple of of big results, and quickly, if he is going to turn things around but this is going to be a difficult game for Chelsea to get anything from.
"Brighton will quite rightly be smarting from the manner of their defeat by Tottenham last week and the wrong decisions that went against them. The Seagulls have one way of playing, and they are a brilliant team to watch. They deserved so much more against Spurs, but I have a feeling they will get their rewards this week."
Sutton's prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Brighton
Meanwhile, former Liverpool player Mark Lawrensen sees things playing out differently. "Brighton were robbed last week at Tottenham," he said. "Those decisions were absolutely, totally ridiculous but, of course, they got beat.
"Chelsea under Frank Lampard, I’ll go for him to win his first game back at home. He won’t want to have played three and lost three else they’ll be looking for another interim manager!"
Lawrenson's prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
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