Let us end February with a nice winner.
Brighton!
It does not sound like a traditionally top club, but this season, and especially under De Zerbi it is a top-3 club in the Premier League judged by the performances, and also the results are good.
What is especially impressing is how many goal chances the De Zerbi - ball produces, take a look at the recent results with xG-data:
There is a loss to Arsenal which is rather understandable, and also last round v Fulham, but look at the expected goals in that game! 2.7 v 0.2! Where does it come from? Brighton won the shots 21-5, they entered with the pass the box 10 times, and should has scored 3 but as this is football it just does not always happen.
The injury situation is good at Brighton, midfielders Lallana and Moder are out and a few players are doubts, but the Brighton of De Zerbi is so well-oiled footballing machine that it does not matter a bit.
Stoke then? Once a big club, recent years they have been midtable or below it in the Championship and this season is no exception. Important Powell and on-loan Tuanzebe are out, the form is not impressing me at all, in the cup they have been lucky with the fixtures as they met Hartlepool and Stevenage on previous rounds. Meanwhile Brighton destroyed another Championship club Middlesbrough by 1-5 away and Liverpool at home.
Brighton to score at least 3 here, and that is well enough to cover this handicap.
Good luck, and let us have some fun and winners in March too!
