Chelseavs.Brentford

The recent England debutant has started just one of Chelsea's last three games, but that has not stopped him from registering a goal and two assists across that time.

Neto picked up a one-match suspension following a late booking in the 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and subsequently travelled out to Kazakhstan to play against Astana in the Conference League on Thursday.

It is likely none of those who made the 7,000-mile round trip in midweek will be involved here, ruling out Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga from breaking into the side, despite all impressing in Almaty.

Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk, all regulars in Europe this season, did not make the trip, suggesting manager Enzo Maresca could be planning to use them in some significant capacity this weekend, even if that is still only off the bench.

Mudryk has been battling with illness, but the Ukrainian winger is set to return, but Reece James and Wesley Fofana remain out in defence with respective hamstring injuries.

The only other change from the team that beat Spurs could come at right-back, where Malo Gusto is likely to start, allowing Moises Caicedo to move back into a more familiar central midfield role, with Romeo Lavia dropping out.

All eyes will be on Cole Palmer after another two goals last weekend took him to 11 Premier League goals for the season, but Brentford are a rare opponent he is yet to score against in a Chelsea shirt.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Written by

Andrew Delaney