Moises Caicedo And Armando Broja To Start; James And Jackson Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Brighton

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was fuming after the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend.

It was an unacceptable performance and, while the Blues will be looking to get back to winning ways on Sunday, they are facing a tough opponent in Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side go into the match, having beaten Nottingham Forest away from home, and they won’t come to Stamford Bridge with anything to fear. Pochettino’s men will have to show some backbone; something that was very much lacking at St James’ Park.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game this weekend.

GK – Robert Sanchez

Although the 26-year-old was not at fault for any of the 4 goals against Newcastle, he still doesn’t command his area as a top keeper should do.

Every time a corner was crossed into the box last weekend, panic set in. Sanchez even slipped over at one point, but Joelinton missed an open goal with a header.

While the Spanish international did make some good saves, his inconsistent performances are not helping an unsettled defence.

Sanchez is unlikely to have a quiet afternoon against his former club so Blues supporters will just have to hope that he has one of his good games.

RB – Malo Gusto

Reece James is suspended after picking up a one-match ban following his two bookable offences against the Magpies.

Despite being the captain, both yellow cards lacked maturity, as he kicked the ball away for the first and pulled back Anthony Gordon for the second.

Gusto would be the logical replacement if, that is, the France international is fit enough to start on Sunday.

Even though he was pictured in training last week, the fullback was not in the matchday squad for the trip to St James’ Park, but he should be ready to return to take on Brighton.

CB – Axel Disasi

After Benoit Badiashile’s disastrous return to the starting eleven last week, Pochettino is likely to recall the 25-year-old.

Disasi has certainly not been error-free since joining the Blues in the summer, but he has struck up a good partnership with Thiago Silva already.

With Levi Colwill expected to start at left-back due to other players being unavailable, it will be a straight choice between Disasi and Badiashile.

The former warrants his recall, and he will be tasked with keeping a threatening Brighton forward line quiet for 90 minutes.

CB – Thiago Silva

Nobody will need to tell the Brazilian that he had a very poor game at St James’ Park.

Lapses of concentration are extremely rare from Silva and his mistake for Newcastle’s third goal was inexplicable.

Silva’s experience will keep him in the starting eleven for now but fans have been growing increasingly impatient with his performances this season.

Knowing Silva, though, you would back him to put in a masterful defensive display against Brighton on Sunday.

LB – Levi Colwill

As already mentioned, the 20-year-old is expected to be reinstated to the starting lineup this weekend due to other absentees.

Marc Cucurella is suspended, having picked up his 5th booking of the season in the defeat to Newcastle last Saturday.

Ben Chilwell also remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but he could be back in action in the next couple of weeks if all goes to plan.

For Colwill, he will be keen to show Pochettino that he can be trusted, having been substituted at halftime in his last game against Tottenham due to ill-discipline.

CM – Moises Caicedo

The Ecuadorian international arrived back late from international duty so Pochettino opted against risking him from the start versus Newcastle.

That may have been a mistake in hindsight. The man who replaced Caicedo, Lesley Ugochukwu, was clearly ring rusty, having spent a number of weeks sitting on the bench, and he was not up to the speed of the game.

Caicedo has certainly not had the best start to his Chelsea career, but he has shown in one-off games what he can do.

Like Sanchez, it will be hoped that the 21-year-old puts in a strong performance against his former club this weekend.

CM – Enzo Fernandez

One of the biggest concerns from the Newcastle game was the lack of control that Chelsea had in midfield.

The Magpies had a 17-year-old in Lewis Miley playing in the centre of the pitch and, yet, the home side had more of the ball.

Fernandez can’t be expected to do everything but one of his key traits is keeping the ball and ensuring his team are dominant in possession.

With the Magpies pressing high and taking the game to their opponents, Chelsea couldn’t handle it and Fernandez has to take his fair share of the blame for that. He will want to improve against Brighton.

AM – Conor Gallagher

The midfielder had a very disappointing game at St James’ Park.

A couple of good opportunities fell his way but he failed to make the most of them, and it does once again raise questions about his finishing ability.

When you are playing in the most advanced midfield role, you expect Gallagher to contribute some goals but he is yet to score in any competition this season.

With Christopher Nkunku still not back in full training (as of Thursday afternoon), it seems likely that Gallagher will stay in the side for the Brighton match.

RW – Cole Palmer

The winger was very quiet by his recent high standards versus Newcastle.

Palmer has been the Blues’ standout player in recent weeks, along with Raheem Sterling, but he was unable to affect the game last Saturday.

Against Brighton, the 21-year-old may get more joy in between the lines, as the Seagulls play a very open game both home and away.

Palmer will be keen to get his first goal from open play soon, with his 4 goals so far coming from the penalty spot.

CF – Armando Broja

Nicolas Jackson was anonymous at St James’ Park so Pochettino may consider switching things up on Sunday.

Broja provides a different threat to Jackson. He can hold up the ball and bring others into the game.

On top of that, the Albanian international possesses an aerial presence and physicality that could help break down a stubborn Brighton defence.

If he doesn’t do the business, the Blues can always put Jackson on for the final half hour to see whether he can make an impact.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The 28-year-old was the one shining light from a terrible display against the Magpies.

Sterling scored a magnificent freekick to get Chelsea back into the match at 1-1, but defensive mistakes meant that the goal had no impact on the outcome.

In his current form, though, the England international is undroppable, meaning Mykhailo Mudryk will have to stay patient.

The Ukrainian international has been sharp in training, but Pochettino is expected to keep him on the bench this weekend.