Brightonvs.Chelsea

Enzo Maresca's side will travel to the Amex Stadium for the second time in six days after falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat in Saturday's FA Cup clash.

James and Jackson were both missing from the matchday squad as Chelsea gave up an early lead to crash out in the fourth round of the cup.

Maresca revealed that James was left out with a view to managing his workload, while Jackson missed out with a hamstring issue which was described as "not a big injury" by the Chelsea boss, who expressed his hope that the striker would be back for Friday's league fixture.

Filip Jorgensen could return to the Chelsea goal to start a second straight Premier League game after dropping down to the bench for the recent cup fixture.

James and Marc Cucurella should feature in right and left-back respectively, while Levi Colwill could return to the backline to partner Tosin Adarabioyo in central defence, which would see Trevoh Chalobah move to the bench.

Enzo Fernandez will come back into the starting lineup to reform his central midfield partnership with Moises Caicedo.

Noni Madueke is pushing to get the nod over Pedro Neto on the right flank, with Jadon Sancho set to provide the attacking threat from the left wing.

Palmer, who will operate as the number 10, will be looking to replicate his heroics from the reverse Premier League fixture where he scored all four of Chelsea's goals in a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's talisman could line up just behind Jackson, who will look to prove his fitness in time for Friday's trip to the Amex Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Blues will be unable to call upon Marc Guiu, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Omari Kellyman.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Jorgensen; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madeuke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Written by

Ben Sully