Predicted Chelsea Lineup To Face Brighton and Hove Albion In The Premier League
Chelsea will travel to the Falmer Stadium on Saturday to partake in their next Premier League clash against Brighton. The Blues managed to register a win via penalties against Norwich City in the FA Cup encounter and they will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League as well. Currently sitting in 4th place, the defending champions are on par with Liverpool in terms of points, and a win could see them leapfrog their rivals to occupy the third spot.
Team News
Ross Barkley is still waiting to make his Chelsea debut after seven months out injured. The January signing had a surgery on his hamstring while at Everton.
David Luiz is available for selection once again after a prolonged spell of treatment on his knee but remains on the fringes of the squad with Andreas Christensen’s emergence. However, he may get closer to the first-team with Gary Cahill coming off in the 33rd minute with a hamstring injury against Leicester City.
Cesc Fabregas is also a doubt after feeling pain in his hamstring. Alvaro Morata and Pedro are unavailable as they got sent off in the FA Cup win over Norwich City.
Possible Chelsea XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Antonio Conte
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
A rock in goal, Courtois has maintained a lot of clean sheets for the Blues this season and he is likely to look for another one on Saturday.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB)
Known for putting up calm and steady displays at the back, Azpilicueta has proven to be quite resourceful while making attacking runs as well. A sure starter for the Blues.
Andreas Christensen (CB)
With David Luiz seemingly iced out of the squad, Christensen has done quite well to establish himself as a regular. Come Saturday, the player should start.
David Luiz (CB)
Luiz could get to start here as Cahill is a doubt for this fixture.
Marcos Alonso (LWB)
Alonso has arguably been one of Chelsea’s best players this season. Be it in the attack or in the defence, he has proven his mettle at both ends. Another sure starter.
Victor Moses (RWB)
Moses’ well-timed bursts of energetic displays on the right often help Chelsea in sticky situations and his influence will once again be needed against Brighton.
N’Golo Kante (CM)
Kante played a crucial role for the Blues last season and has maintained his consistency this time as well. He can dominate the midfield like nobody’s business and Conte is expected to deploy him on Saturday.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (CM)
Bakayoko wasn’t impressive against Norwich but with Cesc Fabregas being a doubt, the Frenchman could well partner Kante in the middle.
Eden Hazard (LW)
It is quite tough to imagine a Chelsea lineup without Hazard at this point. The Belgian never fails to impress with his incisive runs and attacking prowess and he is a shoo-in for the starting XI on Saturday.
Willian (RW)
Willian put in a magnificent effort in their recent match against Norwich and Conte could deploy Willian on the right-wing.
Michy Batshuayi (CF)
This could well be the Belgian’s chance to shine bright as both Pedro and Morata are suspended. Will be keen on proving a point to his manager.