Chelsea are set to play Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the English Premier League.
> Chelsea vs Brighton Live broadcast listings (TV, live streaming)
Frank Lampard continues to wait for his first win since returning to the Chelsea dugout as the Blues prepare to face Brighton on Saturday.
A defeat to Wolves was followed by Chelsea losing 2-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, leaving them with a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge next week in the second leg of the quarter-final tie.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs Brighton is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off time on Saturday 15 April, 2023.
Stamford Bridge in London will host.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- In 12 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Chelsea have won six games, lost two and drawn four.
- German attacker Kai Havertz has eight goal contributions in 26 league starts for Chelsea this season.
- Left-back Ben Chilwell has four goal contributions in 11 league starts for Chelsea so far.
- Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma has 11 goal contributions in 16 league starts for Brighton & Hove Albion this season
- Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister has nine goal contributions in 24 league starts for Brighton & Hove Albion so far.
> Chelsea vs Brighton historical statistics
Team News
Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly pulled up with a suspected muscle problem against Real Madrid and has emerged as a doubt for Saturday. Carney Chukwuemeka (knock) is also doubtful, while Armando Broja (knee) is out for the season.
Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount all returned to the matchday squad in midweek after spells on the sidelines with injuries and will be available for selection against Brighton, as will Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana who were all ineligible to play in the Champions League.
N’Golo Kante is at risk of being taken out of the first XI as Lampard looks to manage the Frenchman’s minutes having only just recovered from a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury, with the likes of Mount, Denis Zakaria, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all in contention to start in centre-midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic.
Should Lampard decide to switch formation and name three attackers in his first XI, Kai Havertz – who scored against the Seagulls earlier this season – could be recalled to play alongside Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling.
As for Brighton, Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill is ineligible to face his parent club, while Adam Lallana (thigh), Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) and Jakub Moder (knee) remain out due to injury.
The absence of Colwill, who started against Spurs, will likely see Adam Webster recalled to the first XI to play alongside captain Lewis Dunk at centre-back.
Former Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey has missed the last six games in all competitions with a knee problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff; Joel Veltman is expected to start at right-back should Lamptey miss out again.
In-demand midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister are set to keep their places in the first XI along with star wingers Mitoma and Solly March, while either Evan Ferguson or Danny Welbeck is expected to lead the line.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Kepa; James, W. Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Fernandez, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Felix
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson
