Chelsea Set to Face Brighton in Crucial FA Cup Fourth Round Clash

Chelsea Eyes Progression in FA Cup Amidst Injury Concerns

The FA Cup fourth round promises excitement as Chelsea gears up to tackle Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on February 8, 2025. Managed by Enzo Maresca, Chelsea is on a mission, fueled by a smashing 5-0 triumph over Morecambe in their previous FA Cup outing. However, they’ll have to navigate this round without star forward Joao Felix, who has swapped his Chelsea blue for AC Milan’s colors during the transfer window, leaving a palpable gap in their attacking lineup.

Injuries paint a challenging picture for Chelsea, with Marc Guiu sidelined due to a longstanding injury. Question marks hover over Nicolas Jackson, who is still grappling with a stubborn hamstring issue. Mykhailo Mudryk adds to the uncertainty, currently under provisional suspension following a failed drugs test. Additionally, midfield and defense are stretched thin with Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Benoit Badiashile, all watching from the sidelines with long-term injuries.

The spotlight is on Christopher Nkunku, who has stepped up to spearhead the attack. With transfer rumors swirling, Maresca has underlined Nkunku’s readiness to shoulder the responsibility and lead on the front line.

Brighton Hopes for Redemption at Home

On the other side of the pitch, Brighton seeks redemption under the watchful eye of manager Fabian Hurzeler. The Seagulls faced a harsh reality with a crushing 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest but have since shown resilience with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Norwich City in the same tournament’s third round.

Brighton’s recent form at home hasn’t been stellar, as they have struggled to clinch victories at the Amex since November. With a back-to-back schedule against Chelsea, including a league matchup on the horizon, Hurzeler has rallied his troops for an aggressive and spirited showing against their Premier League rivals.

This clash promises to be a tactical battle, with Chelsea aiming to enforce their dominance over Brighton, hoping to cement another victory in their head-to-head encounters.

Football fans won’t want to miss this face-off, as ITV4 and ITVX bring the action live to UK audiences. Coverage kicks off at 7:15 pm GMT, setting the stage for a thrilling 8 pm kickoff. Both teams are at a pivotal point in their seasons, and this match might just be the catalyst they need to turn the tides in their favor.

15 Comments

Gabriel Clark
February 10, 2025 AT 06:25

Chelsea's attack without Joao Felix is going to be a mess. Nkunku's a solid guy, but he's not a number 9. Brighton's defense has been shaky, but they're playing at home. This could be ugly.
Elizabeth Price
February 11, 2025 AT 08:05

I'm sorry, but this article is riddled with inaccuracies: Chelsea's 5-0 win over Morecambe? Yes. But Morecambe is League Two! And Nkunku is a false nine, not a striker-so saying he's "spearheading the attack" is misleading. Also, Mudryk's suspension isn't "provisional"-it's interim pending investigation. And Brighton's 7-0 loss? That was a cup match, not a league game. This isn't journalism-it's fan fiction.
Steve Cox
February 12, 2025 AT 09:37

Look, I don't care if it's the FA Cup or the Super Bowl. Chelsea's squad is a walking injury report. They've got more players on the sidelines than a hospital ward. And now they're expecting Nkunku to carry the whole team? That's not leadership-that's desperation. Brighton might not be great, but they're not stupid. They'll sit deep, soak up pressure, and hit them on the counter. And Maresca? He's just a fancy name with a clipboard. This is going to be a train wreck.
Aaron Leclaire
February 12, 2025 AT 19:11

Brighton will win.
Mitch Roberts
February 13, 2025 AT 23:51

COME ON CHelsea!! Nkunku's gonna drop a hat trick and we'll all be screaming at our screens like it's 2012!! I don't care if half the team's hurt-this is FA CUP BABY!! We've got heart!! And if Brighton thinks they can stop us? HA! They don't know what's coming!! GO BLUE!!
Mark Venema
February 14, 2025 AT 16:42

The structural integrity of Chelsea's squad is currently under significant strain, with multiple key personnel unavailable due to injury and suspension. While Christopher Nkunku possesses the technical capacity to assume a central role, his tactical profile is better suited to a withdrawn forward position. Brighton, conversely, have demonstrated tactical discipline in recent home fixtures, particularly in compact defensive organization. A 1-1 draw appears statistically probable, with Brighton likely to capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
Jasvir Singh
February 16, 2025 AT 07:18

Chelsea fans, don't panic. We've been through worse. Remember 2012? We won the UCL with a broken team. Nkunku is a genius. He'll find a way. And Brighton? They're good, but not that good. I've watched their games-too many gaps in midfield. This is our moment. Believe. I'm from India, but I bleed blue. Let's go!
Brian Walko
February 17, 2025 AT 12:06

It's refreshing to see a club like Chelsea still competing in the FA Cup despite their challenges. The resilience shown by the coaching staff and remaining players is commendable. Brighton, too, have shown growth under Hurzeler. This match represents more than just a cup tie-it's a test of character. I hope both teams play with integrity and sportsmanship. The game will be a worthy spectacle.
Derrek Wortham
February 19, 2025 AT 07:08

I knew it. I KNEW IT. Chelsea's gonna collapse. I told my wife last night, "Honey, if Nkunku scores, I'll eat my hat." And if they lose? I'm selling my scarf. I'm not just talking about the match-I'm talking about the soul of this team. They're dying. And nobody's doing anything. The fans are silent. The media is silent. But I'm not. I'm screaming into the void. And the void is laughing.
Derek Pholms
February 19, 2025 AT 23:18

Funny how we treat football like it's the meaning of life. A bunch of rich men running around in tight pants, paid more than most nations' GDP, while kids starve in the same cities they play in. Nkunku? He's a beautiful player, but let's not pretend he's saving civilization. Brighton? They're just trying to survive. And we? We're just addicted to the spectacle. The real question isn't who wins-it's why we care so much.
musa dogan
February 20, 2025 AT 08:07

Oh, sweet celestial chaos! Chelsea, the once-glorious titans of European football, now reduced to a ragtag ensemble of injured nobodies and a lone poet in Nkunku? And Brighton? The Seagulls? Ha! They're a flock of seagulls squawking over a dumpster fire! This isn't football-it's a Shakespearean tragedy written by a drunk accountant with a Netflix subscription. The Amex will tremble, not from goals, but from the sheer existential dread of it all.
Drasti Patel
February 21, 2025 AT 11:26

This is an affront to the sanctity of football. Chelsea, a club with global legacy, now dependent on a single player who has yet to prove himself in a high-stakes fixture? And Brighton, a mid-table side with no pedigree, daring to dream? This is not sport. This is a national humiliation. The FA must intervene. The FA Cup must be preserved. We cannot allow mediocrity to triumph over tradition.
Mark Dodak
February 22, 2025 AT 11:47

I've been following this season closely, and honestly, the way Maresca has rotated the squad under pressure is impressive. Even with all the injuries, he's managed to keep morale high. Nkunku's been quietly brilliant-his movement, his link-up play, even his defensive work rate. Brighton's going to be tough, no doubt, but Chelsea's got that underdog grit when it counts. I think they scrape a 2-1 win. Not pretty, but it'll do. And hey, if Mudryk gets cleared? That’s a game-changer.
Stephanie Reed
February 23, 2025 AT 01:15

I'm really excited to see how Nkunku performs. He's been so consistent this season, even when people were doubting him. I think he'll rise to the occasion. And Brighton? They've got some young talent-Pascal Groß is always dangerous. I hope it's a close game. Football should be about passion, not just results. Can't wait to watch it live!
Steve Cox
February 24, 2025 AT 13:12

Yeah, sure, Mark. You think Nkunku's gonna carry them? What about the midfield? Lavia's out, Fofana's out, Badiashile's out-so who's protecting the back four? Some kid off the bench? Brighton's got a guy named Gross who can pass through walls. And you think Chelsea's gonna keep a clean sheet? Please. This isn't a fairy tale. It's a slow-motion car crash.