Antonio Conte made six changes from the Chelsea side that defeated Norwich City on penalties in the FA Cup during the midweek.
The likes of Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger made the starting line-up for the Blues at the Amex Stadium to face Brighton. Willy Caballero was retained between the sticks, with regular first-choice goalie Thibaut Courtois picking up an injury on Friday.
January signing Ross Barkley could be set to make his much-awaited debut for Chelsea, as he was named on the bench for the clash by Conte.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton switched to a three-man defence, handing Connor Goldson a start alongside regular centre-halves Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.
Club captain Bruno made way for Ezequiel Schelotto, while Tomer Hemed, Pascal Gross and Solly March start in attack. Glenn Murray and Jose Izquierdo dropped to the bench.
Chelsea team: Caballero; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Hazard. #BRICHE pic.twitter.com/xnsUA23K1o
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 20, 2018
Here's how Albion line up against @ChelseaFC at the Amex this afternoon.#BHAFC ?⚪️ pic.twitter.com/8Fbxc5U1Zq
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) January 20, 2018