Chelsea aim to consolidate top four place against Brighton | OneFootball

Chelsea have a chance to consolidate their top-four place when they visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, but it will not be straightforward.

The same team that ended their FA Cup hopes just days ago will be looking to frustrate them again at the Amex Stadium.

Losing to Brighton last weekend was a setback, but manager Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea remain on the right track.

“Unfortunately, we are out of both domestic cups, but our journey in the Premier League until today has been fantastic,” he said. “We will try to finish in the best way we can.”

The Blues remain in fourth place, just two points ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle United. With the race for Champions League qualification heating up, they cannot afford to slip up.

Away form is an issue. Chelsea have not won on the road in the league since their thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in December.

Their last four away games have ended in draws and defeats, raising questions about their ability to perform under pressure.

Brighton’s home record is also shaky. They have not won a Premier League match at the Amex Stadium since beating Manchester City in November.

Despite their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea, their form in the league has been inconsistent, with just two wins in their last 12 matches.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side showed resilience in last weekend’s win. That performance will give them the belief that they can trouble Chelsea again. Maresca will need a response from his players.

“Don’t forget, in the last two years, Chelsea have never been top four, and this year, we spent almost the entire year in the top four,” he added.

“This shows you and everyone that we are in the right direction.”

A win on the south coast would reinforce their position and rebuild confidence after their FA Cup disappointment.

Selection issues remain a concern. Christopher Nkunku may be asked to play a bigger role, but Maresca has insisted he is not a natural striker.

There is also uncertainty in goal. Filip Jorgensen has started Chelsea’s last two matches, but Maresca has yet to confirm whether he will remain the first choice over Robert Sanchez.

A stable defensive set-up will be key to avoiding another frustrating evening at the Amex.Despite their setbacks, Chelsea still have control over their Champions League push. However, Brighton have already shown they are more than capable of causing problems.