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Brighton vs. Chelsea: Premier League Preview
Brighton & Hove Albion is set to face Chelsea in the opening match of this weekend’s Premier League action. This encounter also serves as a rematch of their recent FA Cup fourth-round clash, which Brighton triumphed in.
Team Lineups
Brighton:
- Starting XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Lamptey, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck.
- Substitutes: Rushworth, Gruda, Joao Pedro, Adingra, Cashin, Gomez, Ayari, Wieffer, O’Riley.
Chelsea:
- Starting XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Pedro Neto, Nkunku.
- Substitutes: Sanchez, Adarabioyo, Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, James, Anselmino, George, Acheampong, Amougou.
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh
Match Context
After a disappointing run, Brighton’s league performance has been inconsistent, with recent victories against Ipswich and Manchester United overshadowed by a home defeat to Everton and a shocking 7-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Their best shot at success this season remains in the FA Cup, where they are gearing up for a challenging fifth-round match against Newcastle.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking for immediate redemption following their recent FA Cup defeat. As they sit fourth in the league standings, they aim to solidify their position and separate themselves from their rivals, with only three points between them and seventh-placed Bournemouth.
In the lead-up to this match, Chelsea has faced its share of struggles. Manager Enzo Maresca announced that Filip Jorgensen will take over as the first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Robert Sanchez. The Blues are currently dealing with an attacking crisis, as Nicolas Jackson is expected to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury, further compounded by the loan of João Félix to Milan. This situation forces Maresca to either rely on Christopher Nkunku, who struggled in the last match, or opt for Cole Palmer in an unconventional false No 9 role.
Injury News
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is uncertain for this match after suffering a rib injury, while Mats Wieffer could potentially return after being out for nine matches.
Kick-off: Scheduled for 8 PM GMT.
For fans keen on live updates and minute-by-minute coverage, ensure to check back as the action unfolds!
