Neto and Nkunku fell | Chelsea XI vs Brighton Prediction

Chelsea returns to the first division after securing passage to the next round of the Carabao Cup, thanks to a 5-0 win over Barrow. The blues will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on matchday six and hope to build on last week's 3-0 win over western ham.

This is how Enzo Maresca's team will line up:

goalkeeper – Having featured in all of Chelsea's Premier League matches this season, Robert Sánchez will maintain his place between the sticks as he chases his third consecutive clean sheet in the English top flight.

Defenders – Malo Gusto is fit after missing the last few league games and will return to Chelsea's starting eleven. He will play as a right back, while Marc Cucurela will once again start at left back.

Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana have become Enzo Maresca's trusted lieutenants at the heart of the defense and are expected to start together once again against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Neto will go to the bank

Midfielders – Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández will feature in a double pivot after being rested in the midweek cup tie against Barrow. The South Americans have been in good form and played a key role in Chelsea's solid defensive foundation under Maresca in recent weeks.

Cole Palmer is the favorite to operate as an attacking midfielder, while Jadon Sancho will replace Mykhaylo Mudryk on the left flank from last time out. £54 million star Pedro Neto, despite scoring a goal, is likely to be benched in the Premier League and Noni Madueke replaces him in the starting XI.

Forward – A midweek hat-trick may not be enough for Christopher Nkunku as he bids to usurp Nicolas Jackson for a starting spot in the Chelsea team. The Frenchman could return to the bench with the former Villarreal man replacing him as the sole striker, hoping to find the back of the net once again after a double at West Ham last weekend.

This is how Chelsea could look on paper: