2024-25 Premier League: Week 16 – Chelsea vs Brentford

Chelsea meet Brentford in a huge West-London derby at Stamford Bridge. 

Victory will see second-placed Chelsea move to within two points of league leaders, Liverpool.

Brentford can go sixth with a win if Brighton lose elsewhere.

 

Team News

Pedro Neto is suspended for Chelsea following his fifth booking of the season in their 4-3 win at Tottenham last weekend, although he did play in their UEFA Conference League win away to Astana on Thursday as his ban only applies domestically.

Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Omari Kellyman (all hamstring) are still ruled out,

Brentford could welcome Vitaly Janelt back into contention after he missed their 4-2 win over Newcastle.

Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Matias Jensen and Aaron Hickey (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Chelsea host Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 15 December at 7pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea are winless in their last five league meetings against Brentford (D2, L3).
• Brentford have won all three of their previous Premier League trips to Chelsea (W3).
• Bryan Mbeumo has scored in each of Brentford’s last two visits to Chelsea (W2), with both games ending in 2-0 wins for the Bees.
• Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have netted in two of Chelsea’s last three home games in the league.
• Brentford’s Kevin Schade has four goals in his last three appearances.

 

Prediction

Having rested the majority of the regulars against Astana and seen Liverpool held by Fulham, Chelsea now need to end their home hoodoo against the Bees and let their energetic attacking flair show.

Brentford though are winless on the road in the league this season but it would be very typical of them to end that rut here, especially after their clinically executed win over Newcastle despite some scrappy defending.

Thomas Frank’s Bees however can’t afford any sloppy defending here but if they bring their current firepower, they might just get a result.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Brentford

Result: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford