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Blues out to avenge FA Cup defeat

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Chelsea travel down to Brighton for the second time in the space of a week, though this time in the Premier League. The Seagulls knocked Enzo Maresca’s side out of the FA Cup last weekend and the Blues will be out for revenge, particularly as it could be a key game in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Things have stalled for Chelsea since around the Christmas period. While Maresca was always keen to stress his side were not ready for a title challenge, even he will have been concerned about their form of late. There has been a further blow with the news that Nicolas Jackson is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Chelsea needed Christopher Nkunku to rediscover some form in his absence.

Still, with Manchester City, Newcastle and the rest of the chasing pack not in action until Saturday, this is a chance for Chelsea to solidify their place in the top four. Lose, however, and a place in the top five could even be at risk. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!

Live updates

1 hour ago

Brighton vs Chelsea: Head to head (h2h) history and results

Brighton wins: 4

Draws: 5

Chelsea wins: 11

Brighton emerged victorious in the FA Cup tie less than a week ago, but prior to that Chelsea had won the previous four meetings, including an entertaining six-goal thriller in the reverse Premier League clash earlier in the season.

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

4 hours ago

Enzo Maresca sparks Fabian Hurzeler tension with bizarre answer before Brighton clash

Enzo Maresca has stoked tensions ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Brighton on Friday night with a bizarre series of answers about Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Both Maresca and Hurzeler were appointed by their respective clubs last summer, with the latter becoming the youngest manager in Premier League history at just 31.

When asked, however, what he had made of his counterpart’s debut season, the Italian declined to comment.

“I prefer not to say anything about their manager,” he said.

Later, when pressed on whether he had not been impressed by Hurzeler’s work on the south coast, Maresca instead paid homage to former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.

Maresca’s countryman left Brighton at the end of last season, after almost two years in charge, and was linked with the Chelsea job before taking up his current post at Marseille.

Finally, when asked at the end of his press conference whether he also considered Hurzeler a “top manager”, Maresca simply smiled and said: “Thank you very much.”

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12 hours ago

Brighton vs Chelsea: Match odds

Brighton to win: 13/8

Draw: 15/8

Chelsea to win: 6/5

Odds via Betfair and subject to change.

15 hours ago

Maresca confirms Jorgensen return

Filip Jorgensen is set to resume his place in goal for Chelsea at Brighton on Friday night, with Enzo Maresca confirming he has usurped Robert Sanchez as his Premier League No1.

Sanchez began the season as Maresca’s first-choice goalkeeper and the Italian was firm in backing his man despite a number of high-profile errors early in the campaign.

After a brief upturn in form, however, Sanchez endured a disastrous week at the end of last month in which he made clangers against both Wolves and Manchester City.

Read the full story here!

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18 hours ago

Standard Sport prediction

Chelsea were well short of their best in the FA Cup tie between the two sides last weekend and will need to raise it to avoid another defeat.

However, the absence of Nicolas Jackson does make things harder for the Blues especially as Christopher Nkunku didn’t cover himself in glory last time out.

Still, Brighton had a huge slice of luck with their winning goal in the cup tie and, in truth, there wasn’t a lot between the two teams. The points being shared on Friday night looks likely.

1-1 draw

20 hours ago

Early Brighton team news

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has revealed Lewis Dunk “is doubtful” for tomorrow night’s match at the Amex.

The Seagulls captain will be assessed this afternoon and a late decision will be made on his availability.

Mats Wieffer has trained and could be involved, but Pervis Estupinan remains out and the match is likely to come too soon for Solly March.

New signing Diego Gomez was involved off the bench in the FA Cup and could once again have a role to play tomorrow.

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22 hours ago

Early Chelsea team news

Chelsea’s injury crisis in attack has intensified, with Nicolas Jackson ruled out until after the March international break.

With Marc Guiu already sidelined, Enzo Maresca had hoped to have Jackson back for the trip to the Amex. But scans this week revealed his hamstring injury is worse than first feared.

It means that Christopher Nkunku is again likely to lead the line, despite an underwhelming performance when the Blues crashed out of the FA Cup against the same opponents last weekend.

In better news for Chelsea, Maresca has confirmed that Reece James is fit and available having been rested for that fourth-round tie.

Filip Jorgensen is set to return in goal in place of Robert Sanchez, after Maresca confirmed the 22-year-old is now his first-choice ‘keeper in the league.

Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile all remain long-term absentees.

Chelsea predicted XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku

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1 day ago

How to watch Brighton vs Chelsea

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 7pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go website or app.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground.

1 day ago

Good morning!

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Brighton vs Chelsea!

The Blues are back at the Amex Stadium, looking for some sort of revenge after they were dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by the Seagulls.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes tomorrow night at 8pm GMT.

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