Chelsea predicted line-up vs Brighton: big Cole Palmer and Robert Sanchez starting decisions made

Chelsea have had a mixed start to the new season and approach a head-to-head with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (15:00 BST) following a win and two defeats in their last three fixtures in all competitions.

The Blues came from behind to win 2-1 at League One outfit Lincoln City in a midweek Carabao Cup tie, though the result and performance will have done little to ease concerns raised by defeats to Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

This had followed an unbeaten August as Enzo Maresca’s side began the new season well, though it can be argued that a 5-1 thumping against an under-fire West Ham United side was the only game in which the Blues have truly shone so far this season.

Brighton have fared no better so far this campaign and are currently 14th in the league after just one win thus far, which came against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Particularly considering the relationship between Chelsea and the Seagulls in recent years, it will be an intriguing encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Will Cole Palmer be fit to start against Brighton?

Chelsea’s greatest injury concern ahead of the visit of Brighton concerns talisman Cole Palmer, who was withdrawn after just 21 minutes against Man United due to a niggling groin injury, which saw him side-lined for two matches earlier in the season.

Maresca later suggested that Palmer had been struggling with the injury for some time and tried to play through the pain to start at Old Trafford, though it ultimately proved too difficult for him to continue. The 23-year-old was rested at Lincoln and is unlikely to be risked from the start against Brighton, though he may be included amongst the substitutes.

In the absence of the Blues’ greatest creative asset, Enzo Fernandez may start in the No.10 position instead, just as he did at Bayern in the Champions League. Reece James started in holding midfield that night and could be given the role again after a rest at Lincoln, though Andrey Santos will hope to compete for his first Premier League start. The Brazilian was praised for an admirable showing after coming on against United and started in the cup.

Moises Caicedo is a doubt but is likely to start against his former club, while a bigger doubt surrounds the fitness of Joao Pedro. The former Brighton star was not in the squad in midweek, while Maresca previously revealed that Pedro asked not to play at Brentford, where he ultimately played 79 minutes. A goal and assist by makeshift centre-forward Tyrique George at Lincoln will have given Maresca food for thought ahead of an important Champions League match against Benfica next week. Pedro is his only fit senior striker, though, and he will most likely start him if possible.

Long-term absentees include Levi Colwill and Liam Delap, though Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile may be in contention to return to the substitutes’ bench for the first time this season.

Will Robert Sanchez be available to return against Brighton?

Robert Sanchez will be available for selection against Brighton as he has served a one-match ban following his red card at Old Trafford. As he was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, this type of offence only yields a single-game ban. He served this at Lincoln and will likely return to the starting XI at Stamford Bridge.

Filip Jorgensen was given the chance to start in the Carabao Cup and did little to help his chances of starting in the league, receiving criticism for his personal performance in an unconvincing display by the whole side.

Maresca evidently has two goalkeepers to choose from who are both not playing at their best right now. Sanchez cost his side with a severe lapse in judgement at Old Trafford, while Jorgensen has looked short on confidence. Sanchez is his manager’s No.1, though, and is likely to start against Brighton amongst several fellow former Seagulls. Those of which will not include Facundo Buonanotte, who is ineligible against his parent club.

Full Chelsea predicted starting line-up vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.