Chelsea returns to Premier League action on Friday after crashing out of the FA Cup in the fourth round. They will be facing the same side that eliminated them from the competition, at the same venue. Hosts Brighton & Hove Albion will be eager to make it two wins out of two against the Blues. Here are the key things to look out for.
Top Four Implications
Chelsea faces a tough run of fixtures in the league until their final match of the season. They are currently fourth in the table, but with several teams behind them aiming for a top-four finish, they cannot afford to drop many points. It is baffling to think about how comfortable their position was in mid-December after their win over Brentford.
Since then, however, the Blues have won just two of their last seven league matches, with much of the decline attributed to some questionable tactical decisions from manager Enzo Maresca. Dropping points on Friday could see them slip out of the top four if other teams win their matches this week.