Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Chelsea vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 October 2023, 12:57
Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge for a West London derby in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

The Bees will be buzzing to face the Blues as they have picked up seven points from a possible nine available in their last three league meetings, scoring six goals and conceding only one in the process.

Match preview

Chelsea appeared to be on course to claim their third successive Premier League victory in a London derby with a below-far Arsenal outfit last weekend, as they boasted a two-goal lead heading into the final quarter of an hour courtesy of a Cole Palmer penalty and a somewhat freakish effort from Mykhaylo Mudryk.

However, the Gunners were gifted a way back into the contest on the 77-minute mark, when Declan Rice curled Robert Sanchez's sloppy pass beyond the Spaniard into the far corner - Arsenal's first shot on target - before Leandro Trossard tapped home at the back post to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, Chelsea have shown signs of progress in recent weeks under Mauricio Pochettino, picking up more points (seven) and scoring more goals (eight) in their last three Premier League matches than they did in their previous nine, and the point claimed against Arsenal has seen them climb into the top 10, four points behind the top six and eight points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.

An extended run of positive results in required if the Blues wish to close in on the European spots heading into the festive period, but a tricky fixture schedule is on the horizon as Saturday's clash with Brentford is followed by league encounters with table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur, champions Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United.

Chelsea enter Saturday's match with Brentford seeking to amend both their home form and record against fellow London clubs; the Blues have won just two of their last 15 Premier League fixtures at Stamford Bridge, winning just one of their opening five home games so far this season, while they have only won two of their last 12 top-flight London derbies.

Brentford have also had their struggles on home soil this season, but they claimed their first three points at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-man Burnley.

Goals from Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Saman Ghoddos helped the Bees end their six-game winless run in style, with Thomas Frank's side moving up to 14th in the Premier League table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Victory over Burnley has certainly eased any fears of a possible dogfight near the foot of the table, while securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season on Saturday would see Brentford climb above Chelsea into the top half, as they endeavour to match or better their ninth-place finish from 2022-23.

Brentford have failed to win their last three top-flight away games, but they will fancy their chances of success over the Blues as they have won both of their previous two Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, with a 4-1 triumph in April 2022 followed by a 2-0 victory in April of this year; no team in the division's history has ever won their first three matches on Chelsea's turf.

The Bees also boast an impressive 12-game unbeaten run in London derbies in the Premier League, winning six and drawing six, their longest run without defeat against fellow capital-based clubs. Frank's men have won their last three such away games during this run, including a 3-0 success at Fulham in August.

Chelsea Premier League form:

L

D

L

W

W

D

Chelsea form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

D

Brentford Premier League form:

D

L

L

D

L

W

Brentford form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

L

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Chelsea are still having to cope without Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka (all knee), Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah (both thigh) and Romeo Lavia (ankle) due to injury; Armando Broja (knee) is also sidelined but could recover in time for next week's EFL Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Reece James recovered from a hamstring problem to make a substitute appearance last weekend and the right-back is set to compete with Malo Gusto for a start against Brentford, while Axel Disasi will push to return at centre-back, and his potential inclusion in the first XI could see Levi Colwill move over to left-back at the expense of Marc Cucurella.

Palmer, who has contributed with two goals and two assists in his last four starts, is expected to retain his place in attack, while Nicolas Jackson will be hoping to force his way back into the starting lineup ahead of either Mudryk or Raheem Sterling.

As for Brentford, Rico Henry, Mikkel Damsgaard (both knee), Kevin Schade (groin), Josh Dasilva (hamstring), Shandon Baptiste (shoulder) and Keane Lewis-Potter (calf) all remained sidelined due to injury.

However, Aaron Hickey is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, and the Scotsman is expected to return at left-back, with Vitaly Janelt swapping his makeshift defensive role for a more familiar position in centre-midfield.

Ben Mee is also fit and available and could be handed a start in a back three alongside Nathan Collins and Ethan Pinnock if Frank opts to switch to a 3-5-2 formation; such a move would likely see Neal Maupay drop to the substitutes' bench as Mbeumo and Wissa lead the line.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Hickey; Mbeumo, Wissa

We say: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford

Brentford have taken advantage of Chelsea's decline in recent meetings and will hope to inflict further damage on the Blues as they endeavour to build on their victory over Burnley last time out.

Previews by email

Top News

16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly moved into pole position to sign Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho, with the Old Lady cooling their interest in his teammate Mason Greenwood. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reportedly have to come up with an offer of €50m (£42m) if they wish to sign Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France have received another timely injury boost before the start of their Euro 2024 campaign, as one of their fundamental cogs has returned to full training following injury. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Austrian youngster Oghenetejiri Adejenughure to discuss a move to Old Trafford this summer. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich marksman Harry Kane is poised to break a handful of England records when the Three Lions tackle Serbia in Sunday's Euro 2024 Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Even before its first weekend of action is complete, the 17th European Championship has delivered a dizzying array of new bests and curious firsts. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has drawn level with Cristiano Ronaldo on a record-breaking number of Euros appearances, but he may only stand alongside his Portuguese foe for a matter of days. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mere weeks after a gruelling domestic season concluded for the continent's most celebrated talents, 24 teams and over 600 players are now going again with Euro 2024 supremacy at stake. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vitoria vs. Internacional (Sunday, 8.00pm) Looking to secure their maiden win of the 2024 Brasileiro campaign at the ninth attempt, bottom side Vitoria will welcome Internacional to Estadio Manoel Barradas on Sunday afternoon. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ecuador vs. Honduras (Sunday, 8.30pm) Playing their final warm-up fixture ahead of the Copa America, Ecuador meet Honduras in Connecticut on Sunday evening. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Poland vs. Netherlands (Sunday, 2.00pm) Getting Group D under way at Euro 2024, Poland and the Netherlands meet at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion on Sunday. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has reportedly given the thumbs-up to the Reds making a move for a highly-rated Eredivisie attacker in the summer transfer window. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly laid out their financial demands to let struggling attacker Emile Smith Rowe leave the club this summer. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Arsenal's home-grown talents has reportedly informed the Gunners that he wants to assess his options for a transfer elsewhere in the summer window. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk European Championship holders Italy bounced back from an early setback to record a 2-1 victory over Albania in their Euro 2024 opener on Saturday night. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nedim Bajrami has broken a European Championship record after scoring in Albania's 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening Euro 2024 Group B clash at Westfalenstadion on Saturday night. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia captain Luka Modric has said that his side must move on quickly from their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Spain in their opening match at Euro 2024. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain captain Alvaro Morata is confident that he will be available for his country's second match at Euro 2024 after suffering an injury scare against Croatia on Saturday evening. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lamine Yamal said that he was "thrilled" to play a key role in Spain's 3-0 success over Croatia, with La Roja making an impressive start to their Euro 2024 campaign. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has said that his side must remain focused after opening their European Championship campaign with an impressive win over Croatia. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing two players from Serie A during this summer's transfer window. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly identified a replacement for Erling Haaland should the prolific attacker leave the club in the near future. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal scored the goals as Spain opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin on Saturday evening. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic has reportedly attracted interest from Turkish side Galatasaray ahead of this summer's transfer window. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the appointment of Fabian Hurzeler as their new head coach. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League is widely regarded as the best division in world football that has been blessed with a plethora of talent players and successful managers. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Poland will be looking to end a 45-year streak when they square off against Netherlands on Sunday afternoon. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have reportedly been in discussions with Chelsea over a potential deal for Ian Maatsen during this summer's transfer window. 15 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lamine Yamal has become the youngest-ever player to feature in the finals of a European Championship at the age of 16 years and 338 days old.