In-form Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this Saturday, as they try and extend their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
The Blues are on their biggest unbeaten run since March, but squandered a two-goal lead against Arsenal last time out. Brentford won for the first time in six against Burnley last weekend.
Here’s all you need to know about Saturday’s early kick-off.
Chelsea vs Brentford – Premier League Match Preview:
Form
Chelsea: LWWWD
Mauricio Pochettino’s men started the season with just one league win in their first six games, but have since picked up form and the Blues are now on a run of three games without defeat and have scored eight goals in that time.
The west London club sit 10th in the Premier League after holding title-pushing Arsenal to a 2-2 draw last weekend.
Cole Palmer’s second penalty in as many weeks gave the 2021 Champions League winners the lead before Mykhailo Mudryk’s effort looped over David Raya to extend Chelsea’s advantage.
‘I’m loving it here, but I’ve just got to try to improve every day and give more and more.’ 💬
Cole Palmer on his first months at Chelsea! ⤵️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2023
The Ukrainian has now netted in two of his last three league games after he scored his first Premier League goal in a 2-0 win over Fulham earlier this month.
Chelsea were pegged back by late goals from Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard as the points were shared at the Bridge.
Club captain Reece James returned from injury against the Gunners and could start after a cameo from the bench last weekend, but Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja and Romeo Lavia all remain out.
Brentford form: LLDLW
The Bees start to the campaign has been the polar opposite of their opponents.
After a promising start which saw Thomas Frank’s men undefeated in August, a 1-0 loss away at Newcastle started a run of three losses in four games. The Bees secured a first win at the Gtech Community Stadium this season last time out however, after a 3-0 win against Burnley.
Crowd: Shoooooooooot 🗣
Saman Ghoddos: No problem 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gek8S3gLUr
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 24, 2023
Last week’s win has left Brentford sat comfortably in 14th, six points above the bottom three, and just two points off west London rivals Chelsea in 10th.
Striker Bryan Mbeumo has filled the goalscoring void left by the suspended Ivan Toney, as only five players have scored more than the Cameroonian’s five goals. He’s built a strong partnership with Yoane Wissa, who has three goals to his name.
The Bees will be boosted by the return of wing-back Aaron Hickey, who has seen out a one-match suspension, but forwards Keane Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard both remain on the sidelines alongside the suspended Toney, Rico Henry and Kevin Schade.
Last Meeting
Chelsea 0-2 Brentford, April 26th 2023
Blues fans will be wanting to forget the misery of last season as quickly as possible, but their west London neighbours will make sure they don’t forget this match in a hurry.
Frank Lampard’s men were on a turgid run of form before the fixture and had lost their previous four, while the visitors were on a poor run themselves after going six games without a win.
The five-time Premier League champions were on top in the early exchanges but found themselves behind when Mathias Jorgensen’s header deflected off Cesar Azpilicueta and in to the back of the net.
The Blues continued to create chances in the second half, but Brentford wrapped up all three points with 12 minutes left on the clock when Mbeumo cut inside from the right and fired an effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The win would help the Bees maintain their push for European football as they moved up to ninth, but another defeat for Chelsea left them only 10 points above the relegation zone with six games to play.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk.
Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen, Hickey; Wissa, Mbeumo.
Who is the referee?
Simon Hooper.
Is Chelsea v Brentford on TV?
UK and Ireland: TNT Sports 1.
USA: USA Network.
What time is kick off?
Saturday 28th October, 12:30pm GMT.
Odds
Chelsea – 31/50
Draw – 16/5
Brentford – 4/1
