While this matchup seems like a goal-fest waiting to happen, the stats tell a more nuanced story. Chelsea have managed just 12 of their 35 league goals at Stamford Bridge this season, and Brentford have struggled on the road, scoring only five away goals—better than just Southampton.
Chelsea, starting the weekend in second place, have had inconsistent home form with three wins from seven games. However, their last outing at Stamford Bridge was a commanding 3-0 win over Aston Villa, extending their current Premier League winning streak to four matches—the joint-longest by any team this season.
Impressively, the Blues have scored three or more goals in their last three victories, with standout performances from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Another win with three or more goals would match a club record last achieved during their title-winning 1954-55 campaign.
Despite their attacking flair, Chelsea’s defensive frailties were on full display in their thrilling 4-3 win against Tottenham last weekend. While the win moved them into second place, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, it’s clear that a leaky defense could hinder their title hopes.
Earlier this week, a youthful Chelsea squad traveled to Kazakhstan, beating Astana 3-1 to secure a place in the Conference League’s last 16. With a fresh lineup ready for Brentford, manager Enzo Maresca will look to end a frustrating streak against the Bees. Chelsea haven’t beaten Brentford in their last five encounters, losing all three meetings at Stamford Bridge. Another Brentford win would make them the first team since Leeds United in the 1970s to win four straight league matches at the Bridge.
Brentford, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever Premier League start after 15 games, sitting on 23 points. However, their away form is a glaring weakness, with just one point on the road so far—a draw against Everton. Only Southampton matches their winless away record. While they shined in last weekend’s 4-2 win over Newcastle, their most recent away trip ended in a 3-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Manager Thomas Frank has downplayed concerns about Brentford’s poor away form, but if their home performances dip, it could become a bigger issue. With their attacking quality and Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities, this derby promises plenty of action as both sides aim to capitalize on their strengths.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
After fielding a heavily rotated squad in Almaty on Thursday, Enzo Maresca is expected to bring back the starting XI that faced Spurs last weekend. None of the players from the trip to Kazakhstan are likely to feature.
Pedro Neto, who played on Thursday, will miss this weekend's game due to suspension after picking up a yellow card against Spurs. His spot on the wing is set to go to Noni Madueke.
There could be one other tweak in the lineup, with Malo Gusto pushing for a start at right-back after coming on at halftime in North London. He might replace Romeo Lavia in the lineup. Meanwhile, Mykhaylo Mudryk is likely to be available again after recovering from illness, but Reece James and Wesley Fofana remain sidelined with hamstring injuries.
As for Brentford, manager Thomas Frank is expected to opt for a more conservative lineup compared to the attacking setup he used last week. Bryan Mbeumo and Keane Lewis-Potter, who were deployed as wing-backs against Newcastle, could see their roles adjusted, while Yoane Wissa, Igor Thiago, and Fabio Carvalho might not all retain their places in the attack.
Instead, defensive reinforcements like Mads Roerslev are likely to feature, and Mikkel Damsgaard is expected to return after being rested last weekend. Vitaly Janelt, who missed the last match with a minor issue, should be fit to play, but Mathias Jensen is set to remain sidelined with a hamstring injury.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:Sanchez; Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Wissa
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Thomas Frank’s side has struggled on the road this season, picking up just one point out of a possible 21. Their attacking spark has also dimmed away from the Gtech Community Stadium, making this a daunting challenge.
