Chelsea
Teenager starts as Sarri makes 5 changes | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Brighton
Chelsea need a win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select for the game:
Chelsea will be looking to close-in on the top four with a win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select for the game:
Goalkeeper: Summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to keep his place between the sticks with Willy Caballero once again having to make-do with a place among the substitutes.
Defence: Chelsea were fortunate to beat Cardiff City at the weekend with Cesar Azpilicueta’s equaliser well offside but they won’t care about their good fortune and the Spaniard should once again start at right-back.
Antonio Rudiger should keep his place but we could see Sarri make a couple of other changes with Andreas Christensen coming in for David Luiz in the middle of the back four while Emerson Palmeiri is pushing for a recall in place of Marcos Alonso at left-back.
Midfield: Chelsea should hand a recall to N’Golo Kante after he was surprisingly rested against Cardiff at the weekend while Jorginho should retain his place in Sarri’s starting eleven as he’s a key part of the Italian coach’s system.
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That leaves one place up for grabs and while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is pushing for a recall after scoring at the weekend, I think Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic remain ahead of him in the pecking order. Barkley has been getting plenty of game-time lately so the England international may get the nod tomorrow night.
Attack: Chelsea are expected to call upon star man Eden Hazard after he was rested at the weekend and the Belgian international is likely to start in his favoured left wing position against Brighton.
Gonzalo Higuain has been struggling for form lately so we may see the South American dropping to the bench with Olivier Giroud given a recall up front. The Frenchman has a good understanding with Hazard so Chelsea will hope they can reignite their partnership tomorrow night.
Sarri has hinted that Callum Hudson-Odoi will start against Brighton, much to the pleasure of many Chelsea fans, so the 18-year-old may get the nod on the right wing with Pedro and Willian having to make-do with places on the bench.
Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up:
