The festive football programme continues on Wednesday evening and there are two Premier League games taking place, starting with Chelsea’s home clash with Brighton and then Manchester City’s trip to Brentford.
With the Citizens having built a six-point lead at the top of the standings, it already seems imperative that Chelsea don’t slip up this evening and present the reigning English champions with the opportunity to extend that advantage still further.
Home Form to See Blues Past Brighton Test
Having dropped points in draws with Everton and Wolves, Chelsea have managed to get back on the winning trail with victories over Brentford (League Cup quarter-finals) and Aston Villa in the league.
Belgium international Romelu Lukaku made an instant return to the first team in that victory over Villa, climbing off the bench to score the second goal in that clash on Boxing Day.
The former Manchester United and Inter Milan striker proved just how crucial he is to the reigning European champions and the chances of a third straight win across all competitions will be increased if he comes back into the starting XI.
Chelsea also have a formidable home record to fall back on, as they are unbeaten in their last nine across all competitions and have lost just one of the previous 10 league games at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ defence has also been rock-solid this term, conceding just 13 times for the second-best record in the division behind Man City, and they will be confident of keeping out a Brighton side that have just 16 goals to their name.
Graham Potter’s men have, once again, struggled to convert chances this season and their position of 11th in the table can be credited towards a strong backline that has conceded just 17 times.
The Seagulls have struggled on the road, failing to win on their last seven away matches across all competitions, and they run could be stretched to eight on Wednesday evening.
A Chelsea win to nil appeals at 11/10, while under 2.5 goals at 10/11 is another bet that peaks interest.
City to Keep the Throttle Down
Manchester City’s form has been nothing less than sensational and they travel to the Brentford Community Stadium searching for a 10th straight league victory that would put them another step closer to defending their title.
The Citizens, who have a six-point lead over both Liverpool and Chelsea, slotted six past Leicester City last time out to take their goal tally during this impressive winning streak to 30.
Pep Guardiola’s men have also looked imperious on the road, unbeaten in their last eight away league matches, and they will be confident of overcoming a Brentford side struggling right now.
The Bees have lost both of their last two matches 2-0, exiting the League Cup at the quarter-final stage to Chelsea and then going down to Brighton in the league.
Brentford have improved at home of late, winning their last two Premier League matches against Everton and Watford, but City are a different beast and a heavy defeat could be on the cards.
A City win and over 3.5 goals at 6/5 could be the betting route to go down.
*All odds correct at time of writing.