Chelsea will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Pensioners have played out back-to-back draws with Brentford and Manchester United in their last two league fixtures, which has seen them drop to fifth in the table. The west Londoners will enter this game off the back of a win, though, having registered a 2-1 away success over Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday evening to qualify for the last 16 with a game to spare.
The weekend fixture sees Chelsea boss Graham Potter visit his former employers Brighton, who are winless in four games under new boss Roberto de Zerbi.
Chelsea Early Team News
Kalidou Koulibaly has missed games against Man United and RB Salzburg with a slight knee issue, so the defender remains doubtful for Chelsea’s trip to Brighton. Mateo Kovacic will be assessed ahead of the game, as the Croatian midfielder was forced off against RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday with a calf issue.
Meanwhile, Reece James (knee), N’Golo Kante (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (knee) remain out for the foreseeable future.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Brighton (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Kepa Arrizabalaga is now Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper under Graham Potter and his sublime form should see him start again in between the sticks on Saturday.
Defence
Lining up in a 3-4-2-1 system, Potter is likely to make changes to his side after a quick turnaround between games.
Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella all started in a back three against RB Salzburg in midweek and are expected to retain their places in defence in the Chelsea lineup, however.
Potter will hope Chelsea’s defensive trio maintain their shape and remain focused throughout the 90 minutes against an exciting Brighton side. If Kalidou Koulibaly is passed fit, he will have to take a place on the bench.
Midfield
As Mateo Kovacic felt tightness in his calf against RB Salzburg, Potter is unlikely to risk the Croat amidst a busy run of games. Instead, the Chelsea boss could go for a double pivot of Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the Chelsea lineup against Brighton.
Jorginho and Loftus-Cheek will need to be at their best to help Chelsea control the game whilst keeping the Brighton midfielders quiet. Starting at right wing-back and left wing-back, respectively, in the Chelsea lineup, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell must aim to stretch the Seagulls in the wide areas.
Attack
Under Potter, Mason Mount has been one of the first names on the team sheet, adding creativity, movement and energy to the Chelsea side. The England international is a certainty to start in the Chelsea lineup alongside his compatriot Raheem Sterling as two flexible No.10s.
Leading the Blues’ attack is likely to be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who must be desperate to get on the scoresheet after firing blanks in recent games.
Players like Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Armando Broja could be brought on as fresh legs in the second half as per the game’s situation.