Chelsea welcome Southerners, Brighton & Hove Albion to the Bridge after a 7-1 thrashing of Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup mid week.
The match saw defender Reece James and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, both feature for the first time this season for Chelsea.
The Londoners just lost out to league leaders Liverpool last time out in the Premier League despite a splendid goal from Frenchman N’golo Kante as the match finished 2-1.
The Midfielder made a wriggly run through the middle and shot in time just enough to smash the ball home.
Brighton on the other hand are winless since the opening day and have had goal scoring problems to deal with. The Seagulls, who scored 3 against Watford in round 1, have had just 2 goals in the last 5. The match can see Chelsea post a Premier League record for the most matches against an Opponent while winning each time – Chelsea have won each of the last 8.
Chelsea Boss Frank Lampard, who is yet without a Premier League Home win said, “The fact we haven’t won at home is something we want to correct. We need a similar performance to Liverpool. If we get that level then I expect we can do okay. We have had a run of home games, but we have to respect Brighton”.
Chelsea will be aiming to move into the top half, currently sit 11th on the table with 8 points, 10 off the pace. It was a comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea last season with Giroud and now injured Ruben Loftus Cheek both on the score sheet.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
Chelsea’s defensive fracture has seen them ship 13 goals already. They still miss defender Antonio Rudiger who had a ‘recurring injury’.
Wing-back Emerson is also out of the game. Striker Olivier Giroud is ‘over his illness’ and should feature in on the bench.
Youngsters Mason Mount (3 Goals) and Tammy Abraham (7 Goals) are in the best forms of their lives and could cause some serious damage.
All four Chelsea wingers , Willian, Pulisic, Mount and Pedro are fit for the game. Reece James could feature at the RB spot with captain Cesar Azpilicueta shifting to the CB spot in the absence of Rudiger.
Predicted Line-Ups: Kepa, Azpilicueta(C), Christensen, Tomori, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Abraham, Mount – 3-4-3
The Seagulls, who are 2 points above the drop zone, are without Defender Shane Duffy, who injured his calf in mid week Carabao Cup action.
Solly March (thigh), Bernardo (Knee), Leon Balogun (Muscular) and new signing Leandro Trossard (Groin) will all be missing the game. Their lack of goals and activity in the final 3rd has been criticised under Graham Potter. Striker Glenn Murray joined training from Monday and will likely be named on the bench\
Predicted Line-Ups: Ryan, Montoya, Webster, Dunk(C), Burn, Alzate, Stephens, Propper, Groß, Maupay, Mooy.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London (41631)
English Premier League, Round 7
Time: 13:00 BST, Saturday.
