Chelsea host Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon with Xabi Alonso aiming to maintain his perfect start as manager and move his side level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
The Blues have begun the campaign with victories over Fulham and Luton Town. A win at Fulham on Monday night was followed by a 2-0 success against Luton Town in the EFL Cup, strengthening confidence among Chelsea supporters ahead of another demanding fixture.
Chelsea’s next opponents, Brighton, have also made an impressive start. They have won two of their opening three matches and have scored eight goals without reply across their Premier League and Conference League fixtures this season.
Brighton won both Premier League meetings between the teams last season, including a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will therefore be seeking revenge in front of their home supporters, with victory potentially taking them joint top alongside Manchester City before Arsenal play on Monday night.
Alonso has named a Chelsea side featuring Joao Pedro in attack, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers operating behind him. Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Jorrel Hato are also included in a midfield and defensive structure that shows the manager has retained a strong starting line-up for the visit of Brighton.
Chelsea’s confirmed team is:
Chelsea: Mike Penders; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers; Joao Pedro.
The home side will be without Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson. Alonso will, however, be pleased to have Moises Caicedo and Wesley Fofana available again for Sunday’s match.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton side includes Bart Verbruggen in goal, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Luka Vuskovic and Ferdi Kadıoglu in defence. Carlos Baleba, Pascal Groß, Diego Gomez, Matt O’Riley and Maxim De Cuyper are also selected, with Georginio Rutter listed as the centre-forward.
Brighton: Bart Verbruggen; Mads Wieffer, Lewis Dunk, Luka Vuskovic, Ferdi Kadıoglu; Yasin Ayari, Pascal Groß; Diego Gomez, Matt O’Riley, Maxim De Cuyper; Georginio Rutter.
Brighton are missing Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter, while Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson remain long-term absentees for Hurzeler. Rutter is nevertheless included in the confirmed Brighton line-up.
The match is scheduled to begin at 14:00 UK time on Sunday, 30 August, at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have won 16 of their 28 meetings with Brighton in all competitions. Brighton have prevailed in seven of those encounters, while the remaining five matches have ended in draws.
Across those meetings, Chelsea have conceded 25 goals at home. Brighton have scored 22 goals and conceded 26 away from home as the two sides prepare to meet again in west London.
