Predicted Chelsea XI to face Brighton: Lampard makes Kepa & Mount decisions as Koulibaly sidelined with hamstring injury

Frank Lampard is set to ring the Chelsea changes against Brighton this weekend when they host Roberto Ze Derbi’s side at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Having taken charge of two games, Lampard is still searching for a win and a goal. Back-to-back defeats against Wolves and Real Madrid without scoring mean Chelsea are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions.

Chelsea have eight games left in the Premier League to try to push on up the table, currently sitting in 11th, and their first opportunity comes against the Seagulls, who suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat to Spurs last weekend.

Chelsea vs Brighton: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news and prediction

“Really good,” replied Lampard when asked about Brighton and De Zerbi. “Certain style and identity. Worked with Graham (Potter) there before, then he’s taken it on with his touches and stability.

“Really good team offensively and defensively. Very, very tough match. We’ll have to physically compete.”

With Chelsea desperately wanting a win to lift the spirits of the Chelsea side and one eye on Tuesday night’s Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, Lampard has hinted at several changes to his team.

So how could Chelsea line-up against Brighton?

Possible XI: Kepa, Chilwell, Badiashile, Fofana, James, Zakaria, Fernandez, Gallagher, Mudryk, Aubameyang, Ziyech

Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal, Frank Lampard has confirmed, with Edouard Mendy still returning to full fitness following injury.

Ben Chilwell is available for domestic duty after his red card in midweek, while Benoit Badiashile may return following Kalidou Koulibaly’s hamstring injury which has ruled him out for weeks.

Lampard hinted at opportunities for fringe players, who didn’t feature against Wolves or Real Madrid, against Brighton, admitting: “Over the period I’m here; firstly, I want to win football matches because we are Chelsea and that’s obviously what’s expected from us, from ourselves, fans, outside alike.

“Secondly, I want to be part of a process in this period where players have an opportunity if they train, if they deserve to play they get an opportunity on the pitch to show what they can do.

“Tomorrow (Saturday) will be an opportunity for some players who didn’t play in the Champions League, possibly didn’t play at the weekend, to come in because it’s a game where we absolutely need freshness and energy as well, so every opportunity they should take.”

This will give hope to the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Noni Madueke, Hakim Ziyech, Mykhailo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of getting some minutes at least against Brighton in west London.

Youngsters Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson have been involved in first team training this week and will look to push themselves into contention to be selected in Lampard’s matchday squad.