Chelsea are a team in transition, but what a transition it is. Xabi Alonso has walked into Stamford Bridge with a clear idea and a star-studded squad to match. The recent west London derby at Fulham was his first competitive test, and the market had Chelsea as clear favourites. That tells you everything about the immediate faith in this project. They are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1, a shape Alonso knows inside out from his time in Germany. It is a system built on control, on wing-backs providing the width, and on two number tens floating between the lines. At home, against a Brighton side that will try to play, this is a setup that can thrive.

Brighton, meanwhile, come into this off the back of a strong pre-season. Wins over Strasbourg and Roma suggest they are sharp, and their 4-2-3-1 is a shape that has served them well. They were slight favourites at home to Aston Villa in their recent game, which shows the respect they command. But this is a different animal. This is Stamford Bridge, this is Chelsea under a new manager with something to prove. Brighton will not be intimidated, but they are stepping into a bear pit. The momentum is with the hosts, who have the quality and the occasion on their side.