Chelsea had to work hard for their place in the next round, coming from behind to edge League One side Lincoln City 2-1. Rob Street gave Lincoln a shock lead before the break, but the Blues turned things around early in the second half as Tyrique George equalised with a stunning strike and then set up Facundo Buonanotte for the winner just two minutes later.
It was far from convincing, but Enzo Maresca will take the win after recent setbacks in both domestic and European competition. Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United ended Chelsea’s unbeaten league start and exposed some ill-discipline, with the ten-man Blues picking up more bookings than shots on goal in the rain at Old Trafford.
Even so, Chelsea have been strong at home. They are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, keeping seven clean sheets in their past nine, and will hope to build on that foundation this weekend.
Brighton, meanwhile, were ruthless in their own midweek cup tie, thrashing Barnsley 6-0 at Oakwell. Diego Gomez stole the show with four goals, including two spectacular strikes from distance, becoming the first player since Julio Baptista in 2007 to score four in a League Cup away match. That result followed another 6-0 demolition of Oxford United in the previous round, making Brighton the first side ever to record back-to-back six-goal wins in the competition.
Their cup form contrasts with a patchy Premier League campaign so far. Under Fabian Hurzeler, the Seagulls have managed just one win from their opening five league games. They let a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 with Tottenham last weekend and currently sit in the bottom half of the table.
On the road, they have yet to pick up a single point this season, though they will take confidence from their recent history against Chelsea, having beaten the Blues in both the FA Cup and Premier League back in February.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Robert Sanchez made unwanted history for Chelsea at Old Trafford when his red card after just five minutes became the earliest ever shown to a Blues player in a Premier League match. Having served his suspension in midweek, the Spaniard is available for selection again.Cole Palmer is not so fortunate. He has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a groin injury, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are also sidelined with calf and concussion issues respectively, adding to Enzo Maresca’s selection problems. Facundo Buonanotte would normally be the obvious replacement for Palmer in the number 10 role, but he cannot feature against his parent club.
There is some positive news, though. Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile could both return to the squad, and youngster Marc Guiu is also in contention. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended, while Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are all unavailable due to injury.
For Brighton, Diego Gomez has surely played his way into the starting XI after his stunning four-goal display in midweek, which could leave Brajan Gruda at risk of dropping out of the attack. Fabian Hurzeler is expected to welcome back Maxim De Cuyper and Mats Wieffer, but Jack Hinshelwood, Solly March and Adam Webster are all still recovering from injuries.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Santos, Neto; Pedro
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Gomez, Mitoma; Rutter
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
Midweek fatigue should not be a factor for either side, as both Enzo Maresca and Fabian Hurzeler are expected to rotate heavily from their EFL Cup lineups. That means Chelsea should be close to full strength for Saturday’s clash.
Brighton’s demolition of Barnsley was an impressive display, but it stands in sharp contrast to their poor away form in the Premier League this season. Chelsea, meanwhile, can take confidence from their home record, where they have won consistently and kept three clean sheets in their last three matches at Stamford Bridge.
