Chelseavs.Brighton

The Seagulls will be without star attacker Joao Pedro who picked up a knock in the closing stages of last weekend's feisty 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, while Matt O'Riley (ankle), Solly March (knee) and James Milner (thigh) all remain sidelined as they continue to recover from injury.

Yasin Ayari missed the draw with Forest due to illness, but he is now available for selection on Saturday and will battle with Mats Wieffer, Carlos Baleba and Jack Hinshelwood - who scored against Forest - for a start in centre-midfield, while Brajan Gruda could return to the matchday squad after a spell out with an unspecified issue.

A back four of Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan is set to remain intact, although Ferdi Kadioglu will be pushing the latter for a start at left-back.

Simon Adingra was handed his first league start of the season on the right wing and the Ivorian will hope to fend off competition from Yankuba Minteh to keep his starting spot, while Kaoru Mitoma is expected to continue on the left flank.

The absence of Pedro will likely see club-record signing Georginio Rutter continue in an advanced role behind central striker Danny Welbeck.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck