Football
Chelsea vs Brighton Team News and Predicted Lineups As Blues Aim To Extend Three Game winning Streak
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished3 hours ago on September 27, 2024
Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea side welcome unbeaten Brighton to Stamford Bridge off the back of three successive victories on Saturday, and we’ve got the latest in terms of team news and predicted lineups.
After a thumping 5-0 win over Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon with a home fixture against Fabian Hurzeler’s unbeaten Brighton.
The Blues head into the tie off the back of three successive victories in all competitions, with league wins over West Ham and Bournemouth coming prior to the cup win, and they are now undefeated in four straight English top-flight matches since losing to Manchester City back in mid-August.
It’s a return that sees Enzo Maresca’s side occupy fifth place in the Premier League table, while Saturday’s visitors sit just one point adrift in seventh place after recording three successive draws.
Last time out, the Seagulls were held to a 2-2 draw by fellow undefeated outfit Nottingham Forest, which followed a 0-0 draw with newly promoted Ipswich Town and a 1-1 draw with high-flying Arsenal.
Like Chelsea, Brighton were victorious in the Carabao Cup third round, with their fixture being played last week, as they defeated Wolves 3-2 at the Amex thanks to goals from Carlos Baleba, Simon Adingra and Ferdi Kadioglu.
Last season’s meetings between the pair both ended in favour of the west Londoners, with a 3-2 triumph at home and a 2-1 victory away, and the UK’s best football betting sites are favouring the Blues to win once more, at a price of 8/11.
Chelsea Team News
The hosts remain without club captain Reece James, who is ruled out due to a long-term hamstring injury, while Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia is a doubt for the clash as he is suffering with a thigh problem.
Chelsea made a total of 11 changes in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Barrow, however it is expected that only Malo Gusto will retain his place in the lineup after returning from injury to feature for a half against the League Two outfit.
Christopher Nkunku, who netted a hat-trick against Barrow, is expected to drop back to the bench, with Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson tipped to comprise Maresca’s attack.
Brighton Team News
As for the Seagulls, they have several injury concerns heading into this one. All of Joao Pedro (knock), Solly March (knee), Matt O’Riley (ankle), Brajan Gruda (unspecified) and James Milner (thigh) are ruled out of the visit to the capital.
Some good news for Brighton is that Yasin Ayari is available for selection after missing the last game through illness.
With star forward Pedro ruled out, it is largely expected that record-signing Georginio Rutter will take his place, either in behind the in-form Danny Welbeck or alongside him if Hurzeler opts to play with a 4-4-2 formation.
Chelsea Vs Brighton Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Wieffer, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck