Premier League LIVE: Chelsea vs Brighton & Brentford vs Man City
PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Romelu Lukaku STARTS his first league match since October as Chelsea host Brighton while Pep Guardiola makes four changes for Manchester City’s trip to Brentford
- Third placed Chelsea host Brighton six points behind Man City in the table
- Victory would see them leapfrog Liverpool into second place in title race
- But defeat could see them sit nine points behind after City visit Brentford
- Kick-off from Stamford Bridge is at 7.30pm with City following 45 minutes later
- Latest Premier League news, including live action and results
- Premier League table – as it stands
It’s a big evening at the top of the Premier League table as Manchester City visit Brentford and Chelsea entertain Brighton.
Liverpool’s defeat at Leicester City on Tuesday has given an incentive for both teams to capitalise on the loss, with Manchester City hoping to end the evening nine points clear at the top with a victory in west London.
But the Blues could ensure the gap remains to as much as six points if they win on the south coast as they look to climb above Liverpool into second.
Follow Sportsmail’s DAN RIPLEY for live Premier League coverage, with Chelsea up first as they host Brighton, before Manchester City kick-off 45 minutes later away at Brentford. We’ll bring you the build-up, team news and updates.
Host commentator
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish return to the Manchester City starting line-up at Brentford.
The England pair were pictured on a night out after City’s recent win over Leeds and benched for the subsequent wins against Newcastle and Leicester.
That game of course gets underway from 8.15pm.
Brentford were without 11 first-team players with Christian Norgaard suspended and Bryan Mbeumo failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Yoane Wissa replaced Mbeumo alongside Ivan Toney in attack.
As stated, it’s a pivotal night. It could end with Chelsea just three points behind Manchester City or even Pep Guardiola’s side having a nine-point gap.
This stat is worse than it reads though. Brighton have in fact never scored at Stamford Bridge taking into account a couple of second tier matches in the 1980s as well as a 1960s FA Cup clash too on top of the recent Premier League meetings.
Thomas Tuchel makes four changes to his side following the Boxing Day 3-1 victory at Aston Villa as Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Mateo Kovacic and Romelu Lukaku come in for Thiago Silva, Marcos Alonso, Trevoh Chalobah and N’Golo Kante.
Brighton meanwhile make three changes from their 2-0 win over Brentford, their first win since October as Yves Bissouma, Solly March and Joel Veltman return to the side, with Adam Webster, Enock Mwepu and Lenadro Trossard making way.
With Liverpool losing yesterday, there are opportunities in store for league leaders Manchester City to go nine points clear, and for Chelsea to emerge as chief contenders to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea vs Brighton and Brentford vs Manchester City – team news coming right up for the former…
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