Lukaku To Start; Silva & Kante Miss Out | Predicted 3-4-2-1 Chelsea Lineup Vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea are aiming to keep up the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table as they take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. The Blues returned to winning ways on the weekend by securing a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. But with Man City still having a six-point advantage of top, Thomas Tuchel will not demand anything other than three points.

Predicted Chelsea Lineup Vs Brighton

Defence

Thomas Tuchel is unlikely to risk Thiago Silva on Wednesday after the veteran picked up a hamstring knock in the last game. His absence should pave the way for Cesar Azpilicueta to return to the Chelsea backline. The Spaniard’s experience could be vital as the Blues look to keep a rare clean sheet this midweek.

Alongside Azpilicueta, Chelsea are likely to retain their services of Antonio Rudiger. Trevoh Chalobah is also expected to get the nod ahead of Andreas Christensen, with Tuchel keen on building a base for the future.

Elsewhere in defence, Edouard Mendy remains a guaranteed starter in between the sticks. This could be one of his last few matches before the Senegalese international leaves for international duty, in the African Cup of Nations.

Midfield

N’Golo Kante aggravated his injury in the weekend game against Aston Villa. He is unlikely to feature in this encounter, joining Ruben Loftus-Cheek in Chelsea’s potential list of absentees.

Their absence could see Mateo Kovacic return to the starting eleven, partnering Jorginho in the double-pivot. Their contributions could be vital as the Blues look to dominate the Seagulls this midweek.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are expected to continue with the wingback pairing of Reece James and Marcos Alonso, as the latter should once again deputise for the injured Ben Chilwell.

Attack

Chelsea were gifted with the return of Romelu Lukaku on the weekend. The Belgian even scored after coming on from the bench and with Timo Werner out, he is likely to spearhead the Chelsea frontline ahead of Christian Pulisic.

As for the creative department, Kai Havertz remains a doubt on Wednesday, so Tuchel may have to persist with the combination of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount.

Hakim Ziyech and Pulisic serve as potential alternatives for the German tactician, in case his team finds it difficult to breach the Brighton defences this midweek.