Chelsea predicted XI vs Brighton as Enzo Maresca makes four changes as Trevoh Chalobah dropped

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Chelsea will be out for some revenge on Friday night when they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton for the second time in the space of a week.

The Blues suffered a 2-1 away defeat at Brighton on the weekend in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Chelsea now travel to Brighton again to face them in a Premier League fixture, which many people may argue is more important. Enzo Maresca’s side will be desperate to hang on to fourth position in the league table.

Nicolas Jackson is absent from Chelsea training pictures this week after missing the cup defeat through injury. Therefore, fans will face a nervous wait to see if the centre-forward is back fit and available.

• READ MORE: One winner and four losers as Chelsea lose 2-1 to Brighton in the FA Cup, including attacker with zero shots in 90 minutes

Chelsea predicted line-up vs Brighton

Here is a look at the Chelsea line-up we’re predicting to see away to Brighton on Friday evening…

The first of four changes to the Chelsea team from the cup XI sees Robert Sanchez drop out and replaced by Filip Jorgensen as the starting goalkeeper.

There are some more changes in the backline, including at the right-back position with Reece James coming in for Malo Gusto. James was rested for Chelsea’s cup defeat to Brighton, so we expect the club captain to come back into the starting line-up.

Tosin Adarabioyo continues in the heart of defence. However, we think Levi Colwill may be recalled as his starting centre-back partner, which could mean Trevoh Chalobah drops to the bench.

Finally, Marc Cucurella is so consistent and the ever-present at left-back.

Moises Caicedo continues in the centre of the park against his former club as the team’s midfield colossus.

However, the fourth and final change could see Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drop out to make room for Enzo Fernandez.

Pedro Neto starts again on the right wing in the predicted XI, even though Noni Madueke will be itching to start over him.

On the left wing, Jadon Sancho get the nod to start again. Incidentally, Jason Cundy has demanded this week Chelsea’s Sancho to be more creative.

Cole Palmer retains his starting position in the No.10 position. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku leads the line again because he may be the only fit and available senior option to play centre-forward.

Chelsea XI

Sanchez
James Tosin Colwill Cucurella
Caicedo Fernandez
Neto Palmer Sancho
Nkunku

IN: Filip Jorgensen, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez
OUT: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Chelsea need to come through next set of fixtures

Even though Chelsea are fourth in the league table right now, the teams behind them are breathing down their neck. Aston Villa, who sit eighth, are only six points adrift of them.

It feels like a really important run of league matches for the Blues in the next few weeks, where they’ve got to pick up a healthy return of points.

On paper, the trips to Brighton and Villa look extremely difficult. We’re going to learn a lot about Chelsea and their Champions League aspirations in them. Afterwards, they’ll be strong favourites to win back-to-back games against relegation candidates Southampton and Leicester City.