Chelsea are without both Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro as Liam Rosenior’s side bid to end their losing Premier League run against Brighton and keep their faint hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League alive.
Rosenior is under pressure after a run of four straight top-flight defeats, including a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last time out, and he will be without two of his key attackers in Palmer and Pedro for the trip to in-form Brighton.
The Seagulls can go above Chelsea with a win victory tonight and Fabian Hurzeler’s side remain in the hunt for European football themselves this season, in what is turning into a tightly packed race for sixth place.
Rosenior confirmed that Palmer has been rested ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. “Cole's had some tightness so he's going to be out for this game and see how he moves on for this FA Cup semi-final,” Rosenior said.
Follow all the action below.
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Brighton v Chelsea | Premier League LIVE
- Brighton host Chelsea as the race for Europe hots up | Kick-off at 8pm, live on Sky Sports
- Pressure mounting on Liam Rosenior after run of four consecutive top-flight defeats
- Seagulls snatched a point off Tottenham last time out to continue a strong recent run of form
- Team news: Palmer ruled out of Chelsea squad with Pedro also absent
Liam Rosenior challenges Chelsea to 'stand up and fight for the shirt'
19:15 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea are on their worst run of form since 1998 having lost four Premier League games in a row and failing to score a single goal. Liam Rosenior did not hold back in explaining the response he wants to see from his players after they were booed off following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.
“It's about character now - it's about standing up,” he said. “It's about people who are willing, in difficult moments, to stand up for the shirt and fight. That's what I'm looking for. But I believe in them, and I believe that we can come through this period so much stronger, but we have to get this part right now.”
Fabian Hurzeler 'impressed' by Brighton's resilience this season
19:07 , Jamie BraidwoodBrighton were 13 points behind Chelsea a few weeks ago but they come into tonight’s match having closed that gap to just one point.
Fabian Hurzeler admits his team went through a “tough period” but things are now looking up for the Seagulls as they target a European place.
“I am really happy for the players, happy for the staff because they do great work in the shadows,” he said.
“I think it's togetherness that we showed and now we are in a position where we should really embrace what we all worked hard for.
“Now it's about enjoying these moments, enjoying these kind of games because I think it's a great opportunity for us to grow.”
Liam Rosenior confirms Cole Palmer misses out with hamstring injury
18:54 , Jamie BraidwoodLiam Rosenior confirms to Sky Sports that Cole Palmer misses out with a hamstring injury and has been rested ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.
“Cole's had some tightness in his hamstring so he's going to be out for this game and see how he moves on for this FA Cup semi-final,” Rosenior said. “Joao Pedro will be good for Sunday. But this game is too close for him.”
Chelsea team news: Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro miss out
18:52 , Jamie BraidwoodThere’s no Cole Palmer in the Chelsea squad while Joao Pedro is absent for the second game in a row. Liam Delap again leads the line.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo, Hato; Neto, Delap
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Garnacho, Derry, Guiu
Brighton team news: Karou Mitoma starts for hosts
18:49 , Jamie BraidwoodBrighton make three changes from the 2-2 draw at Tottenham. Diego Gomez misses out due to a knock, but Danny Welbeck and Yasin Ayari make way. In come two of their goalscorers from Saturday, in Karou Mitoma and Georgino Rutter. Carols Baleba also returns.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gross; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma
Subs: Steele, Igor, Dunk, Welbeck, Kostoulas, Ayari, de Cuyper, O'Riley, Veltman
Brighton v Chelsea confirmed team news and line-ups
18:46 , Jamie BraidwoodBrighton XI:
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 How we start #BHACHE... 👊 pic.twitter.com/bMRBIigLA5
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) April 21, 2026
Chelsea XI:
Two changes to your Chelsea XI! 🫵🔵#CFC | #BHACHE pic.twitter.com/2UDsn45WVb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 21, 2026
Chelsea owners '100 per cent' behind under-pressure Liam Rosenior
18:40 , Jamie Braidwood“They have been supportive of me in our daily conversations, they have been magnificent in their support of me and the team.
“We’re aligned that we know we need to win games of football in the now, but that doesn’t go against what we’re trying to do, which is give consistent success to this club long-term."
The race for European football is very much on
18:30 , Jamie BraidwoodWith only three points separating Chelsea, in sixth, to Fulham, in 12th, the Blues face the prospect of missing out of Europe all together.
Brighton can go above Chelsea tonight with a win and they will know, along with Brentford, Bournemouth, Everton, Sunderland and Fulham, that anything is possible given how close the race is.
Is the race for the top-five already over?
18:15 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea were dealt more than one hammer blow in their pursuit of Champions League qualification over the weekend.
First, the Blues lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, a result that continued their alarming slide.
Then, both Aston Villa and Liverpool won late on to increase the gap to sixth-place Chelsea.
The Blues come into tonight’s trip to in-form Brighton 10 points behind Villa, seven behind Liverpool.
With just five games left, tonight is surely a must-win for their top-five hopes.
Predicted line-ups
18:00 , Flo CliffordBrighton XI: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Gross, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Pedro, Neto; Delap.
Team news
17:51 , Flo CliffordDiego Gomez is likely to miss out for Brighton after suffering an apparent knee injury against Tottenham. Kaoru Mitoma came on for him and scored, but also appeared to sustain a knock and is thus doubtful. Lewis Dunk returns from suspension.
Chelsea's top scorer Joao Pedro faces a late fitness test ahead of a potential return to his former club having missed the Manchester United defeat with a thigh issue. Enzo Fernandez is fit to feature following an injury scare but Estevao is definitely out, due to a hamstring problem sustained at the weekend.
How can I watch it?
17:45 , Flo CliffordViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7.30pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go or NOW.
When is Brighton vs Chelsea?
17:41 , Flo CliffordBrighton vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 21 April at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton v Chelsea
17:35 , Flo CliffordBrighton are eyeing a spot in the top six as they look to climb above Chelsea with the pair meeting at the Amex Stadium.
A productive recent run under Fabian Hurzeler continued as Brighton snatched a late point at Tottenham, and another high Premier League finish is within reach for the side.
Chelsea, by contrast, are flailing having seemed certain to push for the top five, with a 1-0 loss to Manchester United their fourth consecutive defeat in the league.
It has heightened the pressure on Liam Rosenior as he returns to the club where he finished his playing career.
Good afternoon
17:30 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Brighton v Chelsea in the Premier League.
The two sides are separated by only one point but the momentum is firmly with tonight’s hosts, with the Blues floundering on a run of four straight league defeats. Can they arrest that slide tonight? We’ll find out...
