The Premier League sides are finally back in action this week in the League Cup as Charlton Athletic of League One meet with Brighton & Hove Albion from the English top flight on Wednesday night with the Seagulls playing their first competitive game in over a month.
Although Brighton have not played in a competitive game since early November because of the World Cup, they have not long battled with fellow Premier League side, Aston Villa, in a friendly. The game finished 2-2, as Brighton fielded only a few players who are expected to play here.
⏳ Matchday ➖1️⃣🔴⚪️ #cafc— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) December 20, 2022
⏳ Matchday ➖1️⃣🔴⚪️ #cafc
Ironically enough, their last competitive game was also against Villa on November 13, where Brighton lost on home soil 2-1. They did, however, put together a fantastic three-game winning run just prior to that in what was Roberto De Zerbi’s best spell at the club.
This run saw him beat Chelsea 4-1 in one of Brighton’s best-ever Premier League performances, while also beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 away from home.
It was their 3-1 win at the Emirates that stole the headlines, however, becoming only the second team to beat Arsenal in English football this season after Manchester United.
The Seagulls saw former Arsenal man, Danny Welbeck, score from the penalty spot, before Kaori Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey netted a goal to seal passage through into this game against Charlton.
It goes without saying that Alexis Mac Allister will not be in action for Brighton after playing a sensational part in Argentina’s World Cup triumph, but he remains the only absence because of the World Cup with the likes of Lamptey, Moisés Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento and Leandro Trossard all returning a few weeks back.
As for Charlton, they have struggled tremendously this season in League One and they are yet to convince fans that they won’t be in a long relegation battle this campaign. The club currently sit 18th in the table, winning only five of their 21 games so far.
In fact, they sit just six points above the drop zone and have even lost to League Two's Stockport County in the past few weeks in the FA Cup.
Charlton have been playing during the World Cup, but they have lost to Cheltenham, had to deal with that defeat to Stockport, and even lost to Bristol Rovers in the last outing to push them further down the League One table.
Given the form of the League One side, Brighton should ease to a win here. Forebet predicts a game of over 2.5 goals and a win for the Seagulls.