Chelsea will hope to arrest their dismal run of form as they head south to visit Brighton this evening. The Blues come into the match winless since putting four past Aston Villa ahead of the March international break, failing even to score in their four league outings since. That run has seen them slip to sixth in the standings, and they could fall further still should they be beaten again this evening.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side saw their three-win streak cut short at the weekend as they left it late to rescue a draw against relegation-threatened Tottenham, but are still very much in the European conversation as we approach the business end of the season and will usurp the Blues with a win here.
Liam Rosenior called time on his playing career while plying his trade at Brighton, but is in dire need of three points against his former club if he is to alleviate the pressure he is facing as a manager. Follow the game LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
Brighton vs Chelsea latest news
- Kick-off: 8pm, AmEx Community Stadium
- How to watch: Sky Sports
- Brighton XI
- Chelsea XI
- Standard Sport prediction
Chelsea's last five results
19:22 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea last won in the league in early March. Here are their last five results, from most to least recent.
0-1 L vs Manchester United (PL)
0-3 L vs Manchester City (PL)
7-0 W vs Port Vale (FA Cup)
3-0 L vs Everton (PL)
0-3 L vs PSG (UCL)
What is on the line tonight?
19:16 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea have it all to lose here.
If Brighton win this evening, they will leapfrog the Blues and move sixth in the Premier League.
That could spell disaster for Liam Rosenior’s hopes of qualifying this club for the Champions League...
Where in the world are Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer?
19:11 , Arthur FerridgeDom Smith has the answer...
Click here to find out why Liam Rosenior has left two key forwards in west London...
Dom Smith reports
18:55 , Arthur FerridgeHuge teams news for Chelsea, which we first learned of when Marc Cucurella's barber accidentally shared the team news earlier today and then promptly deleted it.
Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer both missing from the squad for Chelsea in Brighton this evening in a must-win game for their Champions League hopes, which are already fading.
Huge performances needed from all of Rosenior's men, but particularly Liam Delap and Romeo Lavia on rare starts.
BRIGHTON CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:47 , Arthur FerridgeAnd here are tonight’s hosts.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Georginio, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Boscagli, Mitoma, Kadioglu, Wieffer, Gross
Subs: Steele, Igor Julio, Dunk, Welbeck, Kostoulas, Ayari, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Veltman
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:46 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Rosenior names his team to face his former club.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo; Neto, Delap
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Garnacho, Derry, Guiu
Team news coming up
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeLineups will be revealed in five minutes!
Brighton vs Chelsea head to head
18:30 , Arthur FerridgeBrighton have won the last three meetings against Chelsea in all competitions, including a 3-1 victory in the reverse Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.
Brighton wins: 6
Chelsea wins: 16
Draws: 5
Latest match odds
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeBrighton to win: 11/8
Chelsea to win: 17/10
Draw: 13/5
Odds via Boyle Sports (Subject to change).
Chelsea predicted XI
18:15 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Doubt: Joao Pedro
Injured: James, Estevao, Colwill, Jorgensen, Gittens
Standard Sport prediction
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea’s form does little to provide hope that they can get a result against a Brighton side that is flying at the moment.
The concern for the Blues is not only the lack of goals, but failure to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League since January will make their task all the more difficult.
We expect Brighton to relish the chance to leapfrog Chelsea in the table, boosting their chances of European qualification, and ensure Rosenior does not enjoy his return to the Amex.
Brighton to win, 2-0
Brighton early team news
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeBrighton are set to be without Diego Gomez for the visit of Chelsea after the midfielder was forced off early against Tottenham with a suspected knee injury.
Gomez’s replacement in north London, Kaoru Mitoma scored a stunning goal but was later substituted after picking up a knock which makes him a doubt.
James Milner could return after missing the last two games, while captain Lewis Dunk is available again after serving a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards.
Chelsea early team news
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Rosenior is hopeful top scorer Joao Pedro will be fit to face his former club after sitting out the Man United defeat with a thigh issue.
Enzo Fernandez should be fine despite requesting to be substituted late on against Man Utd, but Estevao (hamstring) is set to join Reece James, Filip Jorgensen and Jamie Gittens on the sidelines.
Levi Colwill stepped up his recovery from an ACL injury by featuring for the U21s last week, though is not yet in contention for a return to first-team action.
How to watch
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 7.30pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Good evening
17:25 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Brighton vs Chelsea!
This is another six-pointer in the race for Europe, with Fabian Hurzeler’s upwardly mobile Seagulls able to leapfrog the Blues with a win. Can they get the job done here?
All will be revealed! We will bring you minute-by-minute updates from kick-off, which is pencilled in for 8pm BST.
Stick with us!
