Chelseavs.Brentford

The Blues head into the weekend's top-flight fixtures sitting in second position in the Premier League table, helped by four successive victories.

While Maresca's side are favourites to overcome Brentford on Sunday evening, they face an outfit that have scored just four fewer goals than themselves (35 to 31).

Furthermore, the Bees possess the best home record in the Premier League, netting an incredible 26 goals in eight games at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Although Brentford's return away from home is the second worst in the division, Maresca has warned that Chelsea will have to perform to their best to get anything from the game with their West London neighbours.

'Brentford's style of play is top'

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Maresca was not shy in paying credit to the impact that the Dane has had at Brentford since being appointed as head coach in October 2018.

As quoted by Si.com, the Italian said: "I don't know him personally. I know him and his team for many years. He's doing a great, fantastic job. The way they achieve points, the way they play, the different style they have it's top, it's fantastic.

"In terms of a move to change clubs, it's more of a question for him. The only thing I can say is that they play fantastic football. The good thing is they play in different ways, different styles, so it's difficult.

"At the same time, I said straight after the Tottenham game, we need our fans for Sunday's game. We need them behind us because I have the feeling that it will be a very tough game. It's a game that can be decided by tiny details so we need to pay attention."

Chelsea head into the showdown with Brentford having suffered three successive home defeats against them, conceding eight goals in the process.

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer is bidding to emulate a Premier League feat last set by Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah six years ago.

With Liverpool and Arsenal each playing on Saturday, Chelsea may find themselves seven points adrift of the leaders and having dropped down into third position by the time that they kick off on Sunday evening.

While Liverpool play host to Fulham at Anfield, Arsenal are in action versus Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Written by

Darren Plant