Chelsea vs Brighton: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Chelsea and Brighton come into this clash at Stamford Bridge under very different circumstances, though both sides are nursing injury concerns.

Chelsea’s squad depth continues to be tested by a growing list of absentees in attack and defense, leaving Enzo Maresca with tricky selection decisions.

Brighton, meanwhile, travel to London with confidence after a dominant EFL Cup win but remain inconsistent in the league.

The Blues are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge and will lean heavily on their home form to compensate for attacking uncertainty.

Cole Palmer’s availability hangs in the balance, and with Buonanotte ineligible, the responsibility may fall to younger or newly integrated players to step up.

Brighton will see this as a chance to exploit a weakened Chelsea side, though their away struggles remain a major obstacle.

With Diego Gómez pushing for a start after his midweek heroics and Chelsea juggling suspensions and injuries, both lineups are expected to feature changes.

This match may hinge on who adapts better to forced absences and takes advantage of key duels in midfield. You can read the full match preview here.

Team News

Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez is back in contention after serving a suspension for his early red card against Manchester United. The Spaniard’s return is a boost given the defensive instability of recent weeks.

However, Chelsea’s attacking concerns persist. Cole Palmer remains a major doubt due to a groin issue that flared up again against United, with surgery not entirely ruled out.

Facundo Buonanotte, who impressed in midweek, is ineligible against his parent club, leaving Maresca short of creative options.

Further forward, Marc Guiu also faces a race against time to be fit.

Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended, while Dário Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Benoît Badiashile, Liam Delap, and Levi Colwill remain sidelined with medium-to-long-term issues. This means Chelsea may again be forced to turn to youth players in attack.

For Brighton, Diego Gómez has emerged as the name on everyone’s lips after netting four goals in their EFL Cup rout of Barnsley.

His form makes him a strong candidate to displace Brajan Gruda in the starting XI.

Defensively, Maxim De Cuyper could return after overcoming a knee concern, giving Fabian Hürzeler more flexibility at left-back.

Yet, the visitors remain without Adam Webster and Jack Hinshelwood, who are both facing lengthy absences, while Solly March is also unavailable until mid-October.

Team News:

Chelsea

Facundo Buonanotte, M: OUT, ineligible to face parent club
Cole Palmer, F: groin, DOUBT
João Pedro, F: knock, DOUBT
Moisés Caicedo, M: knock, DOUBT
Benoît Badiashile, D: leg, OUT, est. return mid-Oct
Dário Essugo, M: thigh, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Liam Delap, F: hamstring, OUT, est. return mid-Nov
Levi Colwill, D: ACL, OUT, est. return late-Apr
Romeo Lavia, M: strain, OUT, est. return mid-Oct

Brighton & Hove Albion

Maxim De Cuyper, D: knee, DOUBT
Adam Webster, D: knee, OUT, est. return Jan 2026
Solly March, M: knee, OUT, est. return mid-Oct
Jack Hinshelwood, M: ankle, OUT, est. return late-Nov

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea
Enzo Maresca may need to reshuffle once again, with Sánchez returning in goal and James set to anchor the defense on the right.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Chalobah should continue as the central pairing, while Cucurella starts at left-back. In midfield, Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos could be deployed in a double pivot, to provide some more rest for Moises Caicedo.

Further forward, with Palmer doubtful and Buonanotte ineligible, Maresca may turn to Estevao in the playmaker role.

Garnacho and Pedro Neto are expected to flank him, while Joao Pedro could be trusted to lead the line if fit against his former side.

Brighton & Hove Albion
Fabian Hürzeler is unlikely to make wholesale changes after their cup success, though Diego Gómez is pushing hard for a start in midfield.

The backline should feature Dunk alongside Van Hecke, with De Cuyper a late decision at left-back and Veltman on the right. Bart Verbruggen will continue in goal.

Carlos Baleba’s energy in midfield pairs well with Gómez’s all-action style, giving Brighton a solid base.

In attack, Minteh, Rutter, and Mitoma offer pace and creativity across the line, with Welbeck’s movement and hold-up play expected to keep Chelsea’s defense busy.