Brighton & Hove Albion

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For Wednesday's game between Brighton and Chelsea, which was postponed from week 34 because of the FA Cup semi-finals, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Brighton got a good draw with Newcastle United at the weekend, but their results in the second half of the season have not been great.

There has been a lot of talk about the future of Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi but, as I have said before, perhaps his stock is not what it once was. He is not being linked with every big vacant managerial position in Europe any more.

In contrast, Chelsea are flying. They have got sixth place in their sights and they have certainly found some consistency, even if it has come a little later in the season than they would have wanted.

I actually fancy them here, for what would be their fourth win on the spin.

Tompkins' prediction: 2-0

Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's game between Brighton and Chelsea in the Premier League.

• After a five-game unbeaten run against Chelsea between 2021 and 2023 (W2 D3), Brighton have lost both meetings with the Blues in all competitions this season. Chelsea lost this exact fixture 4-1 last season, but have never lost consecutive visits to Brighton in all competitions.

• Chelsea have only won their final away league game in one of the past six seasons (D1 L4), beating Leeds 3-0 in 2021-22.

• Brighton have failed to score more than once in each of their past 11 Premier League games, their longest such run in the competition. They last had a longer run without scoring at least twice in a league game between March and August 2015 (12), last having a longer such run in a single season in 2004-05 (a run of 15 between September and December 2004).

• Chelsea have won 29 points in the Premier League in 2024 (P16 W8 D5 L3), with only the top three clubs Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool winning more since the turn of the year. The Blues have lost just one of their last 13 league games (W7 D5), and will be looking to win four on the bounce for the first time since October 2022.

• Brighton have won 16 of their 33 Premier League home games under Roberto de Zerbi (D9 L8). A win over Chelsea will mean the Italian has won more matches with the Seagulls at Amex Stadium in the competition than any other manager, overtaking Graham Potter's 16 wins in 60 such games (Chris Hughton won 13 of 38).

• If James Milner features for Brighton in this game, it will be the 38th different time he has played against Chelsea in the Premier League - the joint-most any player has faced an opponent in the competition's history (Ryan Giggs also 38 v Liverpool).

• Nicolas Jackson has been directly involved in five goals in his past three Premier League games for Chelsea (four goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 11 such games (three goals, two assists). With 14 league goals already this term, none of which have been penalties, he could be the first player for the Blues to score 15 non-penalty goals in a Premier League season since Tammy Abraham in 2019-20.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck and midfielder James Milner have agreed new contracts with the club.

Welbeck, 33, has committed his future to June 2026, while 38-year-old Milner has extended his deal for a further season.

Head coach Roberto de Zerbi said: "They both deserve these extensions.

"Their qualities as footballers and also as individuals are very clear for everyone to see, so this is very good news for us."

Former Manchester United striker Welbeck - who joined the club in October 2020 - said: "I’ve had an amazing time. Each season has been special and we’ve progressed every year.

"This season has been very difficult with the Europa League commitments. The fixture list has been different, but it’s been a great step.

"A couple more key acquisitions for the squad will help us push on next season and I am pretty sure we can achieve some more special moments."

Milne, who spent eight years with Liverpool before moving to the Seagulls last summer, added: "I am as driven as I’ve ever been and I’m excited for next season.

"I really enjoyed the first half of this season as the club played in Europe for the first time.

"The second half has personally been disappointing with a couple of injuries, but I will be ready for the start of next season."

Roberto de Zerbi says he has "been lucky" to work alongside Adam Lallana and he has "learned a lot from him".

The former England midfielder is to leave Brighton at the end of the season, despite De Zerbi's intention to keep him.

He has made 105 appearances for the club - including 94 in the Premier League - since joining from Liverpool in 2020.

"We lose a great player and a great man," said the Seagulls boss. "He is very smart and an incredible player.

"I have been lucky to work with him because he is an honest guy and top man. I have learned a lot from him because of how much he he loves football."

Lallana says he would like to continue playing but needs to "rest his mind" after the end of this season.

De Zerbi added: "He could be a coach now because he understands football and everything in it.

"He will be a big loss for us as he shows clear leadership."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Amex Stadium (19:45 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Joel Veltman is not likely to be available and could now not play again this season.

• De Zerbi confirmed Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck are fit but he is unsure how much game time he can give to Welbeck until he is assessed on Wednesday morning.

• Centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke is expected to miss the remainder of the season but Valentin Barco will return to the squad after missing the draw at Newcastle United with concussion.

• On Adam Lallana leaving in the summer: "We will lose a great player and a great man. I have learned a lot from him because of how much he loves football."

• He said Chelsea "are playing well and deserve to fight to reach a European position".

• He confirmed Brighton "tried" to sign Blues playmaker Cole Palmer last summer because they recognised "he could be a top player".

• More from De Zerbi on Palmer: "He is scoring a lot of goals and he is a problem for us because he can start from a winger position or play as a number 10."

• On rivalry with Chelsea: "We are not at the same level as Chelsea if we sell 21 players or coaches to them. We cannot be rivals because they are fighting for different targets. If they are taking our players it is because we are working well and we have great players."

• He said finishing in the top 10 is the club's ambition, especially after "paying a big price with injuries" this season.

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Lallana says he will be "extremely sad" to not have Roberto de Zerbi as his coach next season, describing the Brighton boss as a "genius" and "like an older brother".

"I feel like we've helped each other an awful lot in the two years and I'm extremely grateful for how he's managed me," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio Sussex, after he confirmed that he will be leaving the Seagulls at the end of the campaign.

"At times I can't train every day and my body probably lets me down, but he's been so supportive of me and he's managed me differently to most other players, probably because of the history I've had with injuries and the age I'm at. I know as a footballer that doesn't often happen.

"Our relationship goes beyond player and coach, he's like an older brother to me. To know that next season he's not going to coach me is extremely sad, but I'll be forever grateful.

"I've already said to him that I'll be expecting his door to always be open for me to come back and not just at the training ground, but at his house as well for a couple of Champions League nights or whatever."

Asked what his message to Brighton supporters would be after it was announced he will be leaving the club, ex-England midfielder Lallana said: "Just thank you for all your support in the four years.

"It started during Covid when there were no fans and I think it's been a gradual rise. The club and the supporters have experienced some unbelievable times over the past four years.

"My message to them would be keep supporting the lads, even in tough moments like we've had in the past eight or nine weeks. It's important that they keep sticking with the lads and stick with the manager, because we've got a genius here - there's no other way to put that."

• Listen to Lallana speak to BBC Radio Sussex Sport

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

At least one Dutchman had a good time from a trip up north on Saturday. While Joost Klein was disqualified from Eurovision just hours before the show got underway in Malmo, Joel Veltman scored as Brighton drew 1-1 at Newcastle.

Veltman goals are almost as rare as United Kingdom victories in the world's greatest music competition.

His opener at St James' Park was his first goal in 14 months, his first ever away from Amex Stadium, and just his fourth in four seasons as an Albion player.

The reason it was so well received amongst Seagulls supporters was not just because Veltman hardly scores - he is also one of the most popular players in the squad.

He's a defender you can always rely on to drop a 7/10 performance; rarely spectacular but rarely makes a mistake.

Every successful football team needs a Veltman.

You only need to watch Brighton without him in the backline, compared to their defensive performances with him, to realise the difference that his experience and composure brings.

Having cost just £900,000 when signing from Ajax, he ranks as one of the best bargain buys in Brighton history.

Veltman might be underrated by the rest of the Premier League, but his importance to the Albion cannot be understated.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Lallana has said the desire to spend more time with his family was the main factor in his decision to leave Brighton at the end of the season after four years with the Seagulls.

Lallana, who turned 36 on Friday, joined from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2020 and he was part of the squad that appeared in European competition for the first time in Brighton's history earlier this season.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "I've been speaking to my family throughout the year and the biggest influence on my decision was that my kids needed me. The age they're at, I think they just need me around a bit more.

"'I've been quite selfish throughout my whole career really, where they've had to react to my decisions, and it's a time of my life and career where I need to put them first.

"Having said that, it works for both [club and player]. I really want to leave on a good note and thank everyone at the football club for my time here - it's been a remarkable journey."

Lallana has made 103 appearances for Brighton, scoring four goals but has only started 12 Premier League games in each of the past two seasons.

"I've been in talks with Roberto [de Zerbi] for the past couple of months and he expressed his wishes for me to stay and keep playing," Lallana added. "But after taking a bit of time to think about where the football club's at, and myself having been away from my family for the past four years while I've been here, I just feel it's the right time.

"I want to really enjoy my last week, get a couple of positive results and finish the season really strongly."

Listen to Lallana speak to BBC Radio Sussex Sport here

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

John: It seems that Newcastle are unable to play well for 90 minutes. It's either a good first half and a bad second half or the other way round. Too many look like they've run out of steam. At least some bodies are starting to reappear but they're short of match fitness.

Joe: I hope Almiron has played his last game for NUFC - why you'd dive in that situation is beyond me. Could cost us Europe.

Richard: One of those games where you know you ought to have won it but the ball just wouldn't go in the back of the net. I'm not sure I'd even say we were slow or off the pace - it was just not going to happen. I can't fault the effort of the team as they tried but Brighton just held firm, alas. You'll get games like this and at least Europe is still possible.

Brighton fans

Rosie: Shame to see our extremely faint European hopes completely disappear, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that we have ended the season with some sort of pride.

Noddy: If we had a fully-fit squad we would have been top four easily. Both teams suffered injuries and both coped well. Was a game there for the taking by either team. Ref even had a good game. Both pen shouts were both dives and rightly yellowed. Enciso could and should have finished the game first half with the chances he had. Improvement all round.

Bob: A good result, played with a bit more nous. Scrappy but still had our chances. Newcastle struggled to break down our defence and a point was a fair result.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is still being considered by Bayern Munich as a candidate to replace outgoing manager Thomas Tuchel. (Sport Bild), external

Albion, Everton, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg are considering a move for 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar and Japan full-back Yukinari Sugawara. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Barcelona boss Xavi has raised uncertainty about Spain forward Ansu Fati's future at the club, with the 21-year-old set to return following his loan stint at Brighton. (Goal), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist

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After a superb top-six finish last season, it is a top-half finish that Brighton will aim for in their final two games of the season following their hard-fought draw against Newcastle, when they host two more European hopefuls in Chelsea and Manchester United.

Roberto De Zerbi's side were able to build on their improved performance in ending a six-match winless run against Aston Villa last time out by spoiling Newcastle's final home game of the season.

Despite being second-best for large parts of the opening period, the Seagulls hit the front at a noisy St James' Park and, despite the blow of conceding so late in the first half, ground out a point that keeps them 10th in the standings.

Making only his fourth Premier League start this season for a Brighton side that has been disrupted by injuries throughout the campaign, Julio Enciso was unable to make the most of his decent opportunities in a promising display.

De Zerbi will now hope his side can end the campaign - one which witnessed the club’s first European adventure - on a positive note in front of their supporters.

Roberto de Zerbi speaking to BBC Sport after Brighton's draw with Newcastle: "My conclusion is it was a fair result, we could win the game or lose the game.

"We suffered too much, especially in the second half, especially when the substitutions for us are two young players.

"I am very proud for the performance and we would like to finish the season in the first 10 places. All the problems we [have had] this season, it is a great result.

"It is important the point, especially in this stadium. I think St James' Park is the best stadium in the Premier League. I have twice been in this stadium and both times it was an incredible atmosphere.

"It is important now that we have two home games and we want to make our fans happy."

• Newcastle United are now unbeaten across their past three Premier League matches against Brighton and Hove Albion at St. James’ Park (W2 D1) after going winless against the Seagulls in their first four, failing to score in any of those games.

• Newcastle United remain unbeaten at St. James’ Park in the Premier League since the start of February (W4 D4), with today’s point being the ninth they’ve rescued from a losing position at home in that time, the second most of any team over that period (Tottenham Hotspur – 12).

• Joel Veltman’s goal was the first scored by a Dutch player in a Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, with the Netherlands the 11th different nation to have had a goalscorer in this fixture.

• Newcastle United have now scored at least one goal in all 19 of their Premier League home games this season, the first time they’ve achieved that feat in the Premier League era – they’d previously scored in 18 of their 19 home games in the 1995/96, 1996/97 and 2002/03 campaigns and 20/21 in 1994-95.

• Alexander Isak played in his 50th Premier League match for Newcastle United, however, he failed to score for the first time in eight league matches at St.James’ Park, having scored in each of his past seven previously.

Newcastle dropped points in their pursuit of European football as Brighton spoiled their final home match of the Premier League season by earning a draw at St James’ Park.

Sean Longstaff cancelled out Joel Veltman's opener on the stroke of half-time to ensure Newcastle scored in every one of their home league fixtures in a top-flight season for the first time since 1958-59.

Welcomed to the pitch by an impressive pre-match flag display from the home support, Newcastle dominated the early stages - and much of the game from there.

But it was the visitors, offering a threat on the counter, who took an 18th-minute lead when Veltman struck at close range after Newcastle failed to clear a corner.

Newcastle were rewarded for their persistence when Longstaff steered in from Elliot Anderson’s cut-back, following great work by the always-lively Anthony Gordon.

However, with Gordon's late finish ruled out for offside, Eddie Howe’s side failed to find a winner in the second half to leave their hopes of qualifying for some form of European football in the balance.

After fifth-placed Tottenham moved six points clear with victory over Burnley, Newcastle must now watch as Chelsea and Manchester United aim to move level on points with them when they play later this weekend.

Were you at the ground or following along from home?

Newcastle fans, give us your thoughts on the game.

Tell us what you made of the performance, Albion supporters.

Follow all the reaction here

There are eight Premier League games taking place today, and you can stay updated with all of them via our live page.

Keep up with all the action and reaction here.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

I watched Newcastle at Turf Moor last week and their twin-pronged attack of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak took Burnley apart.

Wilson was phenomenal on the day and Isak has been excellent all season, while Anthony Gordon looked sharp for the Magpies too, and Bruno Guimaraes was running midfield.

It was important for Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi that his side got back to winning ways against Aston Villa, but it is hard to see them getting anything here.

I always felt that finishing the season strongly was a really big deal for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, and his side are flying at the moment.

Serge's prediction: 3-1

Newcastle are going to give their fans a nice send-off. Brighton have found out how difficult it is to stay in the top six - we found out the same, because that extra game in Europe each week can be brutal.

Read all of the predictions here