Brighton vs Chelsea LIVE: FA Cup updates, latest team news, TV, prediction
Chelsea travel to Brighton on Saturday night for an all-Premier League showdown in the FA Cup fourth round. The Blues are aiming to win the trophy for the first time since 2018 after suffering three successive final losses between 2020 and 2022, but this is a tough tie to predict an outcome for.
Enzo Maresca's side comfortably beat League Two outfit Morecambe 5-0 in round three, though two-goal hero that afternoon Joao Felix is no longer with the club after joining AC Milan on transfer deadline day. Meanwhile, Brighton overcame Championship opposition in Norwich City away from home.
However, the Seagulls were thumped 7-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out and manager Fabian Hurzeler has already demanded an immediate reaction from his side ahead the double header against Chelsea with the two sides set to meet in the Premier League next week.
Maresca has addressed the media on Friday to preview the game. You can follow this blog for all the latest team news and build-up ahead of kick-off at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night.
Brighton vs Chelsea latest news
Kick-off time: 8pm GMT on Saturday, February 8, 2025
Early Chelsea team news
Early Chelsea team news
14:06 , Alex Young
Christopher Nkunku looks set to lead the line for Chelsea against Brighton with Marc Guiu ruled out and Nicolas Jackson a major doubt.
The pair were both injured during Monday night’s 2-1 win over West Ham and Maresca issued a downbeat assessment during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
With Joao Felix having been loaned to AC Milan on deadline day, and Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended following a failed drugs test, Maresca suddenly looks short on options in attack.
Enzo Maresca confident Nkunku is ready to step up despite heavy speculation he could be sold in January.
“Against West Ham he played half an hour and hopefully from now on he can more minutes,” Maresca said. “I was with the club altogether, we were sure before the window that Christo was one of the players who are intention was to keep him.”
Romeo Lavia also remains out with a muscle problem, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are longer term absentees.
Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku
Enzo Maresca confirms 'bad injury' as Chelsea face striker shortage
12:31 , Alex Young
Chelsea are facing a striker shortage, with Marc Guiu set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines and Nicolas Jackson also a major doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton.
Guiu and Jackson both went down injured during Monday night’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, but Enzo Maresca’s initial prognosis was that neither player was seriously injured.
However, speaking on Friday ahead of the trip to the Amex, the Italian was in far more pessimistic mood, revealing that young striker Guiu’s injury - believed to be an abductor issue - could rule him out for months.
“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury,” the Italian said. “Could be [long-term], yeah. We are still waiting but it doesn’t look a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months.”
Welcome
11:32 , Alex Young
Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Brighton
Kick-off at the Amex Stadium is at 8pm GMT on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Stick with us for all the build-up, action and reaction.
