Chelsea are set to host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League match scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2026. The Blues are expected to be without several key players due to injury, including captain Reece James, who is recovering from a hamstring issue, and forward Christopher Nkunku, who has a thigh problem. Defender Benoît Badiashile is also a doubt.
Brighton will travel to London without star winger Kaoru Mitoma, who is sidelined with a back injury. Defender Tariq Lamptey and midfielder Billy Gilmour are also expected to miss the match, leaving manager Roberto De Zerbi with limited options for rotation.
Given the fixture congestion, both managers may consider some squad rotation. Chelsea's Mauricio Pochettino could start Nicolas Jackson up front, supported by Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. Brighton's attack is likely to be led by João Pedro, with Simon Adingra providing width.
The predicted lineups are based on the latest team news and recent starting XIs, but are subject to last-minute changes. The match is crucial for both teams' ambitions in the league table as the season enters its final stages.
