Chelsea will go head to head with Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night looking to continue their push towards a top 4 finish at the end of this campaign. The Pensioners were underwhelming against Cardiff City at the weekend and were fortunate to come away with all three points from that contest. However, the Seagulls will be a completely different proposition, so Maurizio Sarri’s men will need to be at the top of their game if they are to come out victorious in midweek.
The West London outfit will lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with both NGolo Kante and Eden Hazard set to start against Brighton.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted Lineup To Face Brighton And Hove Albion
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will retain his place in goal for the Pensioners despite failing to keep a clean sheet against Cardiff City at the weekend. The Spanish shot-stopper will be protected by the defensive duo of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger who have both struggled to find consistency at the centre of Sarri’s backline. Cesar Azpilicueta, who opened the goalscoring against the Bluebirds, will feature as the right back while Marcos Alonso features in the left-back position.
There is a lot of room for improvement with regards to Chelsea’s defensive performances on the pitch. Sarri’s men need to keep things stable at the back if they are to stop an in-form Glenn Murray from scoring in this midweek game.
Midfield
The midfield three of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante might feature for the home side at the middle of the park. Kante was an unused substitute last weekend so he should be a nailed-on starter for this upcoming clash versus the Seagulls.
Jorginho needs to have a good game if the Pensioners are to dominate the midfield and come away with maximum points from this encounter.
Attack
Eden Hazard and Willian will look to stretch the pitch down the flanks while Gonzalo Higuain gets another opportunity to impress up top. Both Hazard and Willian have been instrumental for Chelsea this season so they would be expected to make a significant contribution going forward on Wednesday night.
Olivier Giroud is expected to come on later in the game if the scores are still level or Chelsea are trailing.
