Chelsea lineup vs. Brighton: Predicted XI for Premier League contest after Cole Palmer injury update

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca must cope without Cole Palmer for Saturday's Premier League battle with Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.

The England international's long-standing groin injury flared up in the Blues' 2-1 loss to Manchester United last weekend, leading to his premature substitution in the 21st minute of the match.

Palmer was unsurprisingly not involved in Chelsea's 2-1 EFL Cup third-round win at Lincoln City in midweek, as his deputy Facundo Buonanotte conjured up the winning goal, but the latter cannot face his parent club this week.

As a result, Andrey Santos might have to deputise in an advanced central role against Brighton, whose former striker Joao Pedro will lead the line for the Club World Cup winners.

Elsewhere in attack, Tyrique George's goal and assist at the LNER Stadium may have given Maresca some food for thought, but the 19-year-old will likely drop out as Estevao and Pedro Neto return to the final third.

Moises Caicedo will also line up against his old employers, as will Marc Cucurella, who alongside Reece James is set to come back into the Chelsea defence in West London.

Robert Sanchez is eligible to return in goal following his suspension too, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana's injuries mean that Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah are surefire picks in defence.

Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) will all miss this match, but Romeo Lavia (unspecified) and Benoit Badiashile (unspecified) might return.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Santos, Neto; Pedro

> Click here to see how Brighton could line up for this game