The 50th match of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure, and the 100th of the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital era, takes us to the south coast to take on Brighton and Hove Albion.

Tonight’s 7.45pm kick-off at the Amex Stadium is our second away trip in five days – and was postponed from its original April 20 date due to the Blues' involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Our late comeback to overcome Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday maintained our powerful charge toward the finishing line in the Premier League.

The victory was our first three-point haul on the road since defeating Crystal Palace in February and ensured we secured our third consecutive top-flight victory, a run that last happened four months ago.

The Blues' challenge for a European place benefited from Brighton restricting Newcastle to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, and the Londoners could rise to sixth tonight depending on how results shape up across the division.

Last time out the Amex, Brighton saw off high-flying Aston Villa, which restored form after a stormy spell. Compared to the same stage last season, Albion have amassed 16 fewer goals, conceded eight more, and are 13 points worse off.

Chelsea, one goal shy of a century in all competitions for the season, can seal a fifth league ‘double’ of the campaign with a victory.

Chelsea team news

There was a welcome return to first-team action for Reece James last time out – and the Academy graduate quickly showcased what we have missed for much of the campaign.

Three minutes after his introduction at the City Ground, James produced an irresistible cross for Nicolas Jackson to head home what proved our winner. It was also the Senegal international's fifth goal contribution in three matches.

Pochettino has confirmed that James is set to be involved against Brighton, although he will be managed carefully.

He said: ‘We need to control the game time because we want him to finish the season strong. Reece is doing really well and we hope he will have the possibility to play a little bit more than against Forest.’

Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku also made their respective returns from injury against Forest and will hope to be involved at the Amex. Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are back in team training and will be assessed.

In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, Mykhailo Mudryk won a decisive penalty in our 3-2 victory. The Ukraine international also got himself on the scoresheet last time out, his eighth-minute strike against Forest was our earliest away league goal of the season.

Pochettino's side have netted 31 times in the previous eleven Premier League matches and that firepower may prove important at the Amex, a ground we have never failed to score on.

Key to that output has been Cole Palmer. The 22-year-old has contributed to 31 goals in the Premier League, the fourth-best return of a Chelsea player after Didier Drogba (39 in 2009/10), Frank Lampard (36 in 2009/10) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (32, 2000/01).

Premier League goals and assists (2023/24)

Opposition scout: Brighton

Roberto De Zerbi is likely to be without several players this evening. Crucially, however, Joao Pedro is set to return.

The Brazilian forward, who netted during the Blues’ 3-2 win at the Bridge, is the first Seagull to net 20 goals in all competitions in a season since Glenn Murray in 2016/17.

Adam Lallana returned to the matchday squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle and former Chelsea right-back Tariq Lamptey came on for goalscorer Joel Veltman – who like Julio Enciso went off with a knock.

The toll on resources had forced the Italian coach to bed in new partnerships all over the pitch.

Right-back Odeluga Offiah – nephew of rugby player Martin – and Irish striker Mark O’Mahoney started a Premier League game for the first time in the 3-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Brighton’s tactics remain the same – sweeper-keeper, play through a press, full-backs tuck in – and in their craving for fluid possession, Albion are responsible for the second most backward passes in the top flight after Manchester City

There is pace and invention through Simon Adingra and Facundo Buonanotte, and the usual dangerous blindside runs from Pascal Gross, who partners Cobham graduate Billy Gilmour in midfield.

The history

Between Brighton’s FA Cup victory over the Blues at the Goldstone Ground in January 1933 and their first Premier League success against us at the Amex in October 2022, the two clubs were rarely in the same division.

From that 2-1 defeat at Brighton in the Thirties, in which the Seagulls netted after 30 seconds, to the 4-1 loss last term, which featured two Chelsea own goals, the Blues were 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions against the Seagulls.

One game in that run was a 2-0 FA Cup win in 1973 that stands out as the only match Ron Harris was shown a red card. An appeal, fronted by Terry Venables, reduced Chopper’s suspension from three to two matches.

Another memorable visit to the Goldstone ground came early in the promotion season 1983/84. John Neal’s resurgent Blues attracted an 8,000-strong following to the sun-drenched resort on Saturday 3 September.

Not yet paired with Pat Nevin and David Speedie, summer signing Kerry Dixon scored both goals in a 2-1 win. One was an early penalty and the late clincher came five minutes after Alan Young restored parity for the hosts, cueing a huge pitch invasion.

The Seagulls have proved difficult opposition in recent seasons, but this term we have recorded victories at the Bridge in the League Cup (1-0) and top flight (3-2), the latter was Albion’s 1,000th league defeat on the road.

Race for Europe

As things stand, Europa League football awaits the team which finishes fifth in the Premier League (Tottenham Hotspur) while Europa Conference League football will to the sixth-placed side (Newcastle United).

A Europa League spot will also go to the winners of the FA Cup final. However, if Champions League-qualified Man City lift the famous old trophy, sixth place in the Premier League is enough to play in the Europa League and seventh means Conference League.

If United prevail at Wembley – and finish below sixth in the Premier League – the UEFA places remain as they are.

Chelsea know only a win will do at the Amex. Elsewhere tonight, the Red Devils entertain the Magpies. The outcomes of both games will be crucial going into Sunday’s Premier League conclusion.

After ten

As Pochettino highlighted after Saturday's win at Nottingham Forest – and in his pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton – the Blues are paying the price for not picking up the points that performances deserved during the first ten gameweeks of the season.

In fact, over the ensuing twenty-six, Chelsea have amassed 45 points. That is the fourth-most behind Man City (61), Arsenal (59), and Liverpool (56).

Conversely, Brighton, who were seventh at the start of November, have claimed 31 points over that period. That is the fifth-lowest tally.