2 Key Changes From Their Opening Win: 4-2-3-1 Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea
Aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the new Premier League season, Brighton & Hove Albion travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls mauled 10-man Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 campaign. A brace from Jack Hinshelwood inspired the south coast side to three points against the Villans. Fabian Hurzeler’s side made it to the UEFA Europa Conference League by beating Tromso 4-0 on aggregate in the play-offs in midweek.
On Sunday, though, Brighton face a sterner test against Chelsea, who opened their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Fulham in the West London derby. The Blues head into this fixture after overcoming Luton Town 2-0 in the second round of the EFL Cup in midweek.
Brighton Team News
Brighton have been dealt a big blow ahead of the trip to Chelsea after Jack Hinshelwood suffered a training injury. The midfielder is facing a spell on the sidelines, joining forwards Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Stefanos Tzimas and Yankuba Minteh on the treatment table.
Georginio Rutter missed the Tromso game with an issue last week, but he is expected to be available for the Chelsea fixture.
Predicted Brighton lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen has started the new season strongly, keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Aston Villa and Tromso, respectively. He will be raring to shut up shop as early as possible at Stamford Bridge.
Defence
Mats Wieffer and Olivier Boscagli will operate as the full-backs in the Brighton lineup, trying to push back Chelsea’s wing-backs as much as possible whilst staying defensively resolute.
Luka Vuskovic should continue partnering skipper Lewis Dunk in central defence in the Brighton lineup. The duo will be tasked with keeping former Seagulls star Joao Pedro quiet.
Midfield
Yasin Ayari and Pascal Gross will aim to take control of the game in the middle of the park. The duo must provide protection to the back four, disrupt Chelsea’s attacking forays and recycle possession sensibly.
With Jack Hinshelwood ruled out, Matt O’Riley could operate as a No.10 in the Brighton lineup. The Dane has the qualities to link play and bring his teammates into the game.
Attack
Maxim De Cuyper and Diego Gomez will try to stretch the Chelsea backline with their directness, energy and late runs into the box. They must provide sufficient service to Charalampos Kostoulas in the box. With Rutter touch-and-go, Greek sensation Kostoulas, who scored against Tromso in midweek, should lead the Brighton attack.
Zadok Yohanna, Ibrahim Osman and Joao Costinha will be options to bring off the bench.
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2 Key Changes From Their Opening Win: 4-2-3-1 Brighton Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea 1