Chelsea vs. Brighton predicted line-ups: hosts make five changes including £32m star as visitors change three

Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend, when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge. The Blues head into the match on a patchy run of form, securing impressive results against Spurs and Man City before suffering 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United last weekend.

Brighton head into the weekend in buoyant spirits, after a booking their place in the knockout rounds of the Europa League with a game to spare, securing their progression with a 1-0 win away to AEK Athens. Here is the latest team news, injury updates and predicted XIs for both sides, ahead of Sunday afternoon's eagerly anticipated clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea team news and injury updates

Mauricio Pochettino has a whole host of players out ahead of the Seagulls' visit. Sunday's game may come too soon for Christopher Nkunku, with Chelsea keen not to rush the summer signing back to action too soon following a lengthy spell out with a knee injury suffered during a pre-season friendly.

Elsewhere, midfielder Romeo Lavia continues to recover from an ankle injury, while defender Wesley Fofana is not expected to return from a serious ACL injury until the spring. Left-back Ben Chilwell remains out of contention, alongside Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah on Chelsea's lengthy list of long-term absentees.

The Blues will also be without captain Reece James, who is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off via two yellow cards at St. James' Park last weekend. His backup, Malo Gusto, is a doubt for Sunday after picking up a knee injury during the most recent international break. Left-back Marc Cucurella also misses out through suspension. There is at least positive news regarding big-money summer signing Moises Caicedo, who is set to feature against his former club after being given limited minutes against Newcastle.

Goalkeeper and defence

Robert Sanchez is poised to face his former employers on Sunday. Rumours still persist over whether Chelsea will look to bring in a more experienced number one next summer.

With James out, the race is on for Gusto to prove his fitness ahead of the Seagulls' visit. If needs be, Pochettino could deploy France international Axel Disasi as a makeshift right-back instead. There's a similar conundrum on the left flank, with first choice option Cucurella unavailable through suspension, and England international Levi Colwill looks set to feature in his place. After an afternoon to forget at St. James' Park, Brazil veteran Thiago Silva should still keep his spot in the heart of Chelsea's defence, most likely alongside Disasi.

Midfield and attack

Pochettino will be hopeful of having his first choice midfield trio available to take on the Seagulls this weekend. Big-money duo Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo look set to start, and Conor Gallagher looks likely to continue playing the role of the most advanced of Chelsea's midfield trio, and is likely to be flanked by rising star Cole Palmer and his fellow former Man City ace Raheem Sterling.

As doubts remain over whether Nicolas Jackson can regularly score goals leading the line for the Blues, academy product Armando Broja has been tipped to be given the nod. The Slough-born Albania international has recently been linked with a move away in January, but Pochettino has made it clear that Broja is still very much a part of his plans going forward.

Chelsea full predicted line-up: Sanchez; Colwill, Silva, Disasi, Gusto; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Broja, Sterling.

Brighton team news and injury updates

Roberto De Zerbi's are looking to weather somewhat of an injury crisis during a hectic month of fixtures, and could be missing a number of players ahead of their visit to west London.

Loan star Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey are the latest pair to be ruled out of contention, with both stars expected to be out of action for a number of weeks. Fantasy Premier League favourite Pervis Estupinan remains on the treatment table, alongside Solly March. Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso are also unable to play due to injury concerns. Meanwhile, skipper Lewis Dunk will miss out through suspension.

There is however cause for optimism around both wing sensation Kaoru Mitoma and veteran midfielder James Milner, after the pair both featured in Brighton's midweek win in Greece.

Goalkeeper and defence

Brighton have continued to rotate their goalkeepers throughout the early stages of the season, and Jason Steele could return in place of Bart Verbruggen.

At left-back, youngster Jack Hinshelwood could claim another start in the absence of the injured Lamptey. On the opposite flank, the dependable Joel Veltman is likely to keep his place. With Dunk and Adam Webster both absent, Igor is set to keep his spot in central defence. He could be partnered by Jan Paul van Hecke, who missed the AEK Athens match through suspension.

Midfield and attack

Scotland international Billy Gilmour is set to take on his former club with a start in midfield, and could be partnered by either Carlos Baleba or Pascal Groß. The Seagull's advanced midfield three is likely to be comprised of Simon Adingra, Adam Lallana and Mitoma, who was restricted to under 70 minutes of action in midweek presumably to ensure his participation on Sunday. Wonderkid and Republic of Ireland international Evan Ferguson will lead the line, as he looks to add to his six league goals scored so far this season.

Brighton full predicted line-up: Steele; Hinshelwood, Van Heck, Igor, Veltman; Gilmour, Groß; Adringra, Lallana, Mitoma; Ferguson.