2021-22 Premier League: Week 31 – Chelsea vs Brentford

Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge in their third West-London derby clash of the season in all competitions. 

Victory would see Chelsea stay third but open an eight-point gap to fourth-placed Arsenal who aren’t in action until Monday evening.

Brentford meanwhile could go as high as 13th with a win if Brighton lose elsewhere.

 

Team News

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Callum Hudson-Odoi could be in contention for Chelsea as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (illness), Saul (Coronavirus), Andreas Christiansen (knock), Reece James (muscle) and Christian Pulisic (fitness) are doubts but Ben Chilwell (knee) remains absent.

Brentford will have Josh Dasilva available after he completed a three match ban, having been red carded in the Bees’ defeat against Newcastle United in late February.

Samman Ghoddos (Coronavirus) is unlikely to be in contention but Julian Jeanvier (knee) remains absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea won their only previous Premier League meeting against Brentford by a 1-0 result, through Ben Chilwell’s 45th minute winner at Brentford Community Stadium in October.
• Brentford have won just one of five previous league visits to Stamford Bridge (W1, L4)
• Both teams have scored in each of their five previous league meetings played at Stamford Bridge, in which Chelsea emerged victorious by 2-1 results on three occasions.
• Chelsea have conceded just once in their last five league matches (W5), during which they scored 11 goals.
• Four of Brentford’s last five away goals have been scored after half-time.

 

Prediction

Since the saga around Roman Abramovich began, Chelsea have done a cracking job of staying focused on pitch which was particularly evident in how clinical they were in their FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough last time out with a strong disciplined defending to boot.

Brentford meanwhile were simply unlucky to not achieve a result at Leicester a fortnight ago because they just lacked the finishing touch, amidst excellent counter-attacking which will be crucial here plus more focused defending after two errors proved costly against the Foxes.

This match though feels like Chelsea’s to lose given their current form but Brentford do have the quality to mount a decent fight, especially with Christian Eriksen back to his best if he brings his recent international efforts for Denmark to this match.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford

Result: Chelsea 1-4 Brentford