Pre-match overview
Chelsea started the post-Rosenior era with two consecutive victories against Fulham and Luton Town (Carabao Cup). Under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, Chelsea fans are full of faith towards a successful season. The team's next challenge is the match against Brighton in the 2nd round of the Premier League. Chelsea aims to win all 3 points to continue to be in the top group.
Meanwhile, Brighton crushed Aston Villa with a score of 4-0 in the Premier League opening match. They scored all four goals in just 31 minutes thanks to an own goal by Victor Lindelof, a goal by Maxim De Cuyper and a double by Jack Hinshelwood, in the context of midfielder Joao Gomes of the opponent being sent off.
Chelsea has home advantage, but Brighton has won all four of their most recent encounters against this opponent in all competitions. That streak includes a 3-0 victory at Amex Stadium in April 2026 and a spectacular 3-1 comeback at Stamford Bridge in September 2025, when Danny Welbeck came on as a substitute and scored two goals in injury time after Trevoh Chalobah was sent off, leaving Chelsea with only 10 players.
In 27 encounters between the two clubs in all competitions, Chelsea won 16 matches, Brighton won 6 matches and drew 5 matches.
Force information
Chelsea hopes Moises Caicedo can return to play and face his old club after an injury in training made him absent from the victories against Fulham and Luton Town.
Marco Palestra is still unable to play due to another problem, while Jordan Henderson continues his recovery process from a wrist injury sustained while celebrating England's victory in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Mexico.
Wesley Fofana is eligible to play for Chelsea for the first time this season, after serving his red card suspension in the last match of last season against Sunderland.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez is still a name that receives little attention in the context of continuous transfer rumors related to his move to Man City, and Alonso may again eliminate him from the squad, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is expected to keep a position in the goal despite his unstable performance against Fulham.
On Brighton's side, Jack Hinshelwood is having fitness problems after an injury in training that prevented him from playing in the win against Tromso. If Hinshelwood is absent, Matt O'Riley will be the replacement.
Georginio Rutter has also had fitness problems since the match against Villa, which means that Charalampos Kostoulas or loaned new player Promise David may start in attack.
Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson are still long-term absent players of the away team.
Expected lineup:
Sanchez, Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Gusto, Caicedo, James, Chavarria, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.
Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Boscagli, Dunk, Vuskovic, Wieffer, Ayari, Gomez, Gross, De Cuyper, Kostoulas.
