Brighton Predicted line-up, injury and team news as 13 out and 3 doubts for FA Cup clash with Chelsea

Brighton Predicted line-up, injury and team news as 13 out and 3 doubts for FA Cup clash with Chelsea

Chelsea face Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night. 

The Blues have reached the final of the competition 11 times since 2000, and head coach Enzo Maresca will hope to see his side reach Wembley once again this time around.

Here, we predict the XI that the Italian could select for the game on the south coast.

Goalkeeper

Filip Jorgensen replaced Robert Sanchez for Chelsea’s win against West Ham United on Monday, in the wake of the latter’s disastrous performance against Manchester City. Jorgensen is likely to keep his place for the trip to The Amex.

Defenders

At right-back, Malo Gusto may be given the nod ahead of club captain Reece James, who has started Chelsea’s last three Premier League games but has only recently returned from his most recent injury lay-off.

In the centre of defence, Maresca could select academy graduates Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill. Chalobah was recently recalled from a loan spell at Crystal Palace and has since impressed for the Blues, while Colwill has been a regular at the centre of defence all season.

Marc Cucurella is Maresca’s only senior left-back following the loan departures of Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga during the January transfer window. The Spaniard is therefore set to start against his former side on Saturday.

Midfielders

Maresca is likely to once again opt for his first choice midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. The duo each cost in excess of £100 million, but they have been showing their worth so far this term and Caicedo in particular has been arguably Chelsea’s player the season so far.

Ahead of them, talisman Cole Palmer will hope to add to his impressive record against the Seagulls. Palmer netted four times in the first-half as the Blues beat Brighton 4-2 in September, having also netted against them last season.

Forwards

In attack, Pedro Neto could be selected aheads of Noni Madueke on the right of Chelsea’s front line. The Portuguese was extremely impressive against the Hammers on Monday and netted the hosts’ equaliser.

Through the middle, both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are doubts, and Christopher Nkunku could therefore be given a start. The France international has scored 13 goals so far this term but was heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea last month.

On the left, with Mykyaylo Mudryk still suspended, Jadon Sancho is set to start.