Opponent Watch: Brighton could be without five players including Tariq Lamptey for Chelsea encounter

Opponent Watch: Brighton & Hove Albion could be without five players including Tariq Lamptey for Chelsea encounter

Brighton & Hove Albion are likely to be without five first-team players for their clash against Chelsea later tonight. Graham Potter will return to the Amex Stadium for the first time after swapping them for the Blues earlier in September.

Now, Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi could be without five players for the clash. Midfielder Jakub Moder is out for a long-time due to an ACL injury and will miss the game.

Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, Tariq Lamptey and Levi Colwill will all likely be missing the game. Winger Mitoma picked up an ankle injury during their 2-0 defeat to Brentford earlier this month, while Veltman was withdrawn against Manchester City last weekend.

Former Chelsea defender Lamptey had ‘some problems’ and the coach will decide later today if he will play the right-back against his former side.

Colwill, who is on a season-long loan at the seaside club will sit this game out due to the loan rules of not being able to face his parent club. The Seagulls could be without both their right-backs and it will be interesting to see who starts to deputise for them.

Speaking to the press ahead of the game as quoted in Sussex Live (h/t Football. London), the Brighton manager gave an update on his squad.

“Veltman has had some problems and Lallana is good. But tomorrow I will decide what I will do. Mitoma feels good. He trained with us yesterday and today. I have not decided on the first XI. I hope to play Lallana, Veltman, and Mitoma too.”

Chelsea too are without three of their first-team players. Defenders Wesley Fofana and Reece James will miss the game after picking up an injury against AC Milan in the Champions League over the two legs, while midfielder N’Golo Kante has had surgery and is set to miss four months of action.

More Chelsea News:

• Transfer News: Arsen Zakharyan confirms his wish to come to Chelsea
• Manchester United join Chelsea in the race for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong
• Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah opens up on struggles under Tuchel amid Potter turnaround

The Seagulls have lost three of their previous four games as compared to the Blues who have won two and drawn the other two. On paper, a victory for Chelsea seems very likely but anything can happen on the pitch and it will be wise for Potter to field a string eleven against his former side.