Mauricio Pochettino Searching for Answers to Chelsea’s Lack of Firepower

It’s not often that a simple tap-in wins a goal of the month competition but that could be prove to be the case at Chelsea if they manage to score in their Carabao Cup clash with Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Even worse, the Blues may have to scrap their September contest altogether if the Seagulls keep a clean sheet as they haven’t scored since Enzo Fernandez hit a 72nd-minute winner in the second round of the League Cup on Wednesday, August 30.

That’s 288 minutes with the clock still ticking following 1-0 home defeats to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa either side of a goalless draw at Bournemouth.

Chelsea’s Lack of Goals

Look away now Chelsea fans: Newcastle scored more goals in Saturday’s 8-0 annihilation of Sheffield United than the paltry seven Mauricio Pochettino’s side have hit in all competitions so far this term.

Perhaps the Blues can take a crumb of comfort from the Seagulls having yet to keep a clean sheet this season but at least the Sussex side have had no trouble finding the net as they are currently third in the Premier League table with 15 points from a possible 18 compared to Chelsea’s 14th place with just five.

Brighton vs Chelsea

As is the norm in this competition, both sides are expected to make wholesale changes ahead of the next round of top-flight fixtures which see Brighton travel to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime before Poch’s team make the short trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Monday.

Brighton bounced back from their surprising 3-2 defeat at home to AEK Athens in their Europa League debut by beating Bournemouth 3-1 at the Amex and, despite Chelsea having splashed out over £1billion in recent transfer windows, Roberto de Zerbi has the more balanced squad.

Solly March was an unused substitute against the Cherries so it’s fair to assume he will start at the Bridge and he is 15/1 with BetUK and Unibet to break the deadlock and 11/2 with the same firms to score at any time.

Brighton have netted three or more goals in five of their seven games this season and another 3-1 victory is 16/1 with Ladbrokes, Coral and multiple other bookmakers.

Chelsea’s Chances of Scoring

Chelsea’s consolation goal may come from an unlikely source with central defender Levi Colwill 16/1 to score against the club where he spent last season on loan.