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Chelsea's Champions League aspirations don't depend entirely on securing a top-five Premier League finish, but the Blues' dreadful recent form means they're also in danger of missing out on the alternative route.
A sixth-place finish could still be enough to earn a spot in Europe's top club competition next season, provided Aston Villa finish fifth and lift the Europa League trophy. However, a four-match losing streak without finding the net has left Chelsea looking nervously behind them rather than forward.
A potential rival for that position awaits embattled manager Liam Rosenior, as his side head to the south coast to face their unofficial feeder club Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls are among the league's standout performers right now and head into Tuesday's encounter just a single point behind the Blues.
Estevao's Season Potentially Over
With only a handful of weeks left in the season, there's a strong possibility that Estêvão won't play again before the World Cup this summer. The young Brazilian picked up a hamstring problem during Saturday's loss to Man Utd and was visibly emotional at the break.
His unavailability is expected to see Enzo Fernández pushed into a more advanced midfield position, with Rosenior indicating the Argentine was simply dealing with cramp late in the match against the Red Devils when he was substituted.
Chelsea are also optimistic that João Pedro will recover quickly from the thigh problem that kept him out at the weekend.
Trevoh Chalobah returned to action on Saturday, though Reece James remains unavailable. The Blues are further hampered by the absences of Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens, and goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Brighton
GK: Robert Sánchez—One of several former Brighton players set to face their old club this week, Sánchez keeps his place between the posts by necessity due to Jörgensen's ongoing absence.
RB: Malo Gusto—Reece James's injury has significantly disrupted Chelsea's league campaign. The Blues desperately need their skipper back fit, but Gusto looks set to continue at right back on Tuesday.
CB: Wesley Fofana—Fofana was heavily involved at both ends of the pitch at the weekend, and it was his brief exit from the game that gave Matheus Cunha the opening to score the decisive goal for Man Utd.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah—The Englishman has limited time to impress Thomas Tuchel and earn a place in England's World Cup squad. Chalobah came off the bench against United following his return from injury.
LB: Marc Cucurella—Another ex-Seagull, Cucurella appears visibly frustrated with Chelsea's decline under Rosenior, and he could be one of the experienced players the club risks losing in the summer.
DM: Andrey Santos—Santos has regularly fulfilled a vital tactical role for Rosenior's side, making his omission at the weekend unexpected. He should return to the starting XI at the Amex.
DM: Moisés Caicedo—Caicedo looks a shadow of himself, failing to replicate the intensity and sharpness that characterizes his best performances in recent weeks.
RW: Cole Palmer—Palmer has lost his spark. The English creator has struggled for weeks, unable to impose himself within Rosenior's system.
AM: Enzo Fernández—With Palmer shifting wide to cover for Estêvão, Fernández — who squandered Chelsea's best opportunity in Saturday's defeat — is likely to step up into the No. 10 position.
LW: Pedro Neto—Neto has shone in cup football, but he hasn't netted a Premier League goal since early December. Two of his deliveries struck the woodwork for Chelsea at the weekend.
ST: João Pedro—Liam Delap's struggles continued against Man Utd, with the summer signing still unable to add to his lone Premier League goal for the club. Pedro's thigh issue is believed to be minor, meaning he could slot straight back in to lead the attack.