Reece James Chelsea
Reece James

Chelsea got back to winning ways this weekend when they beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League and next up they take on Brighton at Falmer Stadium.

Chelsea have won their last 5 matches against Brighton in all competitions and they should also logically win this next encounter since the Seagulls have won just one match in their previous four league matches.

The Blues with the win against Arsenal have maintained a four-point lead against their top-four rivals and if they can manage to win this game then they will surely end 2019 on a high note.

Chelsea team news vs Brighton:

Frank Lampard made a few reshuffles to his first XI against the Gunners primarily due to a change in formation but in midweek he is expected to revert back to his usual 4-3-3 formation.

On Sunday, Chelsea played with a three-man backline but against Brighton, Tomori is expected to drop back to the bench as Rudiger and Zouma play in central defence.

Reece James is ruled out with an ankle injury but we feel Marcos Alonso should be fit enough to start replacing Emerson at left-back.

Jorginho started the Arsenal match on the bench but the Italian is expected to reprise his role in midweek alongside N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.

This means either Mason Mount will drop down to the bench or move up to the wing. And since Christian Pulisic is recovering from a thigh injury we feel Mount will be deployed in the latter role.

Willian has been a key player under Frank Lampard this season and we believe the Brazilian will keep his place in the first XI which means Callum Hudson-Odoi will once again start on the bench.

Tammy Abraham scored the winner vs Arsenal on Sunday but there’s every chance that the Chelsea manager could opt to rotate his strikers and use Michy Batshuayi.

Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Brighton:

Starting XI: Kepa Arrizzabalaga; Emerson, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham/Batshuayi.

Read: Frank Lampard makes a bold prediction regarding the win vs Arsenal.

Read: Here’s who Mikel Arteta blames after Arsenal lose 2-1 to Chelsea on Sunday.

Read: Here’s what Lampard told his Chelsea players during half-time against Arsenal.