Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brighton - Premier League
- Chelsea are missing many first-team stars through injury
- Reece James and Marc Cucurella both suspended for Brighton clash
- Moises Caicedo expected to come back into starting lineup
By Euan Burns
Chelsea are one of many teams in the Premier League who are dealing with a serious injury crisis at the moment.
Luckily for them, their opponents on Sunday are in the same boat. Brighton have an incredible number of player out injured and a couple more suspended too. Many of the players that you would expect to be on the pitch for a game like this one are not going to be there, which makes it a very hard one to call.
Mauricio Pochettino may find himself fielding a back four made entirely of central defenders thanks to the injuries and suspensions to his full-backs, while most of his depth has been wiped out in recent weeks.
Here is the starting XI Pochettino could turn to on Sunday when Chelsea host Brighton.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sanchez - He has been making some good stops recently and will want to be at his best when he faces his former team.
RB: Axel Disasi - The Frenchman has fallen by the wayside slightly after a decent start to life at Chelsea. Could be deployed at right-back here as Reece James is suspended and Malo Gusto is facing a race to be fit.
CB: Thiago Silva - Had a bit of a shocker against Newcastle but his experience will still be crucial throughout the season, and he has been impressive on the whole this term.
CB: Benoit Badiashile - Needs more minutes to get back to full fitness following a long-term injury.
LB: Levi Colwill - With Marc Cucurella suspended, Colwill will likely be pushed to the left-back slot, creating a back four of centre-backs.
CM: Moises Caicedo - A little jaded on his return from international duty and so did not start against Newcastle. Pochettino will be pleased to have the Ecuadorian at full fitness again here.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - Certainly needs to start adding more goals (or anything) to his game soon, but Fernandez is on the right track at Chelsea despite having such a big fee hanging over his head.
RW: Cole Palmer - Probably Chelsea's best player this season, they will need another big display from Palmer if they are to beat this determined Brighton side.
AM: Conor Gallagher - Another player that fans may want to see a bit more from as the season wears on, Gallagher is getting plenty of chances to impress.
LW: Raheem Sterling - His free-kick was wonderful against Newcastle and he is finding the net more often again.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - The Newcastle game was not what Jackson needed after his goals against Tottenham and Man City. Should be more comfortable back on home soil.
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