Chelsea predicted XI vs Brighton as Enzo Fernandez pushes higher and Josh Acheampong recalled

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It will be fascinating to see what team Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca pieces together against Brighton this weekend because he’s dealing with a lot of injury problems within the squad.

Chelsea will go in search of three points on Saturday afternoon when they host Brighton in the Premier League.

The Blues won the same fixture last season by a 4-2 scoreline, with Cole Palmer grabbing the headlines for his four goals. However, the Seagulls will be glad to hear he’s unavailable for tomorrow’s game.

Maresca has ruled out Palmer for the next few games with his groin problem, while Tosin Adarabioyo is also sidelined until the October international break. On top of that, Wesley Fofana is out with a concussion.

• READ MORE: Paul Merson makes Enzo Maresca claim in prediction for Chelsea against Brighton

Goalkeeper – Robert Sanchez

Despite the drama of being sent off in last weekend’s defeat against Manchester United, Robert Sanchez will surely start in goal again.

Sanchez served his one-game ban in midweek during Chelsea’s win against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. It certainly worked in his favour that Blues shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen looked shaky in net.

Defence – Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Marc Cucurella

Blues captain Reece James, who excelled at right-back against Man Utd, gets another start in his best role this weekend.

The centre-back partnership picks itself with Fofana, Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill sidelined. Trevoh Chalobah continues at centre-half, while Josh Acheampong is recalled for his first appearance since the opening day of the Premier League against Crystal Palace. It is a huge relief that Acheampong returned to training after missing Tuesday’s cup tie through illness.

To complete the back four, Marc Cucurella starts at left-back, fresh after his midweek rest against Lincoln.

Midfield – Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez

Andrey Santos features in the predicted XI for what would be his first Premier League start of the season.

Next to him, Moises Caicedo starts again as the midfield general.

As for the number 10 position, Enzo Fernandez could be pushed further up the pitch to fill the Palmer void. It feels like a bit of a no-brainer, especially because Facundo Buonanotte can’t play against his parent club.

Ahead of Chelsea’s match against Brighton, Maresca has praised Fernandez and said he’s “very good” higher up the pitch behind a striker.

Attack – Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto

It could be the same front three that started against Man Utd last week.

That would mean Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto on the wings, both of whom were sacrificed early at Old Trafford after Sanchez’s dismissal.

Finally, Joao Pedro leads the line again as the central striker, where he’ll be looking to add to his tally of two Premier League goals this season.