Chelsea 0-0 Brighton
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton
KICK OFF: We’re underway at Stamford Bridge! Chelsea in their traditional blue, Brighton in their yellow strip, as Enzo Maresca’s side look to build on that midweek Carabao Cup win.
A big afternoon ahead in West London. Can the Blues get back to winning ways in the Premier League, or will Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton spring a surprise on the road?
Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE!
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at Stamford Bridge:
"Plenty of jeers from the away end for the former Brighton stars as the Chelsea line up is read out again.
"There's plenty of them, which adds a bit of spice to this game."
Kick off approaching!
The players are on the pitch, and kick off is imminent!
Team news reminder!
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Enzo, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu, Baleba, Gomez, Ayari, Minteh, Georginio, Mitoma.
Alejandro Garnacho not in XI
Once again, there’s no starting place in the Premier League for Alejandro Garnacho, who begins on the bench.
The winger came on late at Old Trafford but hasn’t done enough to force his way into Enzo Maresca’s starting XI today.
With Estevao and Pedro Neto preferred out wide, Garnacho will be hoping to make an impact off the bench this afternoon.
'Home comforts could prove decisive for Blues'
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at Stamford Bridge:
"Chelsea come into this game without a win in two in the Premier League.
"They let slip a last-gasp lead at Brentford, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off early in the defeat at Old Trafford.
"However, the Blues will be delighted to be back in front of their own fans this weekend.
"The Blues Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 home Premier League games, winning nine and drawing three.
"They have also kept seven clean sheets in their last nine at Stamford Bridge and they’re are looking for four home clean sheets in a row for the first time since their first five under Thomas Tuchel between January and March 2021."
All set for an entertaining game...
Brighton have won three of their last six league meetings with Chelsea (L3), this after winning none of their first 14 beforehand (D4 L10).
'Chelsea not building a squad that can win the league'
Paul Merson says Chelsea's model for buying players doesn't allow them to buy a top goalkeeper and that they are not building a squad capable of winning the Premier League.
Read his full column below...
Paul Merson says Chelsea's model doesn't allow them to buy a top goalkeeper asks if squad is capable of winning Premier league
Sky Sports
Hato set to make Stamford Bridge debut
A big day for Jorrel Hato, who makes his home debut for Chelsea from the start today this afternoon.
The Blues paid an initial £35.5m plus add-ons for the 19-year-old defender, who joined from Ajax on a seven-year deal earlier this summer.
A versatile option at the back, Hato’s composure and ball-playing ability must have already impressed Enzo Maresca!
Do Chelsea have a Palmer problem - or are issues hidden elsewhere?
Do Chelsea have a Cole Palmer problem?
Palmer has suffered a drop off in form and has picked up a groin injury, but is still Chelsea's best player.
His importance to the club's success under Enzo Maresca is more apparent then ever, which beckons the question: is Palmer's form actually indicative of issues elsewhere?
Read Laura Hunter's feature below...
Cole Palmer and Chelsea: Injuries, fatigue and form - what are the big issues and how are they best solved?
Sky Sports
Your match officials for this afternoon...
Today’s referee at Stamford Bridge is Simon Hooper. He’s assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long, with Ruebyn Ricardo the fourth official.
Darren England is on VAR duties, supported by Assistant VAR Gary Beswick.
Can Brighton keep Joao Pedro quiet?
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at Stamford Bridge:
"Brighton will not need any reminding of the talents of Joao Pedro.
"They come up against their former forward and keeping him quiet this afternoon may be key to their chances of coming away from west London with something.
The 24-year-old has hit the ground running since joining the Blues for £60m in the summer. He's already registered five goals and three assists in nine outings for Enzo Maresca's Blues.
"In the absence of the inured Cole Palmer, he's going to be vital for Chelsea this afternoon."
Brighton hoping for a clean sheet?
Brighton and Hove Albion have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League matches, a 2–0 win over Wolves in May. Since the start of 2023–24, the only ever-present sides with fewer clean sheets than the Seagulls (14) are West Ham and Wolves (13 each).
Gomez rewarded for midweek efforts
Brighton have made one change from their 2-2 draw against Tottenham last weekend.
Diego Gomez is rewarded after his four-goal haul in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley in midweek.
He replaces Brajan Gruda in the starting XI.
Two changes from Chelsea's trip to Old Trafford
Enzo Maresca makes two changes from the side beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend. Hato replaces Fofana at the back, while Andrey Santos comes into midfield in place of Cole Palmer.
Reece James captains the side, with Robert Sanchez returning in goal after serving a one-match suspension.
The Spaniard was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the defeat to Manchester United, missing the midweek Carabao Cup win over Lincoln City.
Brighton team news
Team to face Chelsea: Verbruggen, Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu, Baleba, Gomez, Ayari, Minteh, Georginio, Mitoma.
Subs: Steele, Gruda, Tzimas, Welbeck, Milner, Boscagli, Wieffer, De Cuyper, Coppola.
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Chelsea team news
Lineup to face Brighton: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Enzo, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Gusto, Badiashile, Lavia, Gittens, Garnacho, George, Guiu.
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'Big week coming up for Chelsea'
Sky Sports' Paul Merson:
"It's been so stop-start from Chelsea so far this season.
"People have said, 'oh it was good at Bayern Munich'. It was only alright. They didn't rip it up and they didn't really take the game to Bayern Munich. I thought Bayern were in second gear at times.
"It's now a big week for Chelsea.
"This weekend against Brighton - they always do well at Chelsea. That's why Chelsea end up buying all their players.
"Everyone will be trying for Brighton this weekend because they're on trial, ready to get their £50m or £60m move in January. It's unreal how many players have made that move.
"All the Brighton players will have got an early night on Friday."