Brentford look to return to winning ways in a massive West London derby against Chelsea in Saturday Night Football.
Depending on results elsewhere earlier in the day, victory could lift Brentford into the top ten.
Chelsea can go top with a win before Liverpool visit Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
Team News
Brentford have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 loss at Sunderland.
Paris Maghoma (hamstring), Vitaly Janelt (heel) and Yunus Konak (ankle) could return but Gustavo Nunes (hamstring) remains ruled out.
Reiss Nelson could make his club debut after he joined on loan from Arsenal on deadline day.
Chelsea will be without striker, Liam Delap after he suffered a hamstring injury in their victory over Fulham before the international break.
Cole Palmer (groin) and new signing, Alejandro Garnacho (fitness) are set to feature but Dario Essugo (thigh) is ruled out.
Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Levi Colwill (ACL), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Ishe Samuels-Smith and loanee, Facundo Buonanotte could make their debuts for Enzo Maresca’s Blues.
When is Kick-Off?
Brentford host Chelsea at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 13 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brentford have lost just one of their last seven league meetings against Chelsea (W3, D3, L1).
- Chelsea are yet to lose a Premier League match away to Brentford (W1, D3).
- There has never been consecutive draws between Brentford and Chelsea across 23 previous meetings in all competitions.
- Igor Thiago has scored three goals in Brentford’s four matches across all competitions so far this season (W2, L2).
- Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez have scored in each of Chelsea’s last two matches (W2).
Prediction
Wasteful finishing summed up Brentford’s defeat at Sunderland because for all of their dominance, they lacked a clinical final touch to kill the game off once in front so a more polished display is needed if they’re avoid a likely defeat against an improved Chelsea squad.
Chelsea however were lucky to keep a clean sheet against Fulham following some dodgy refereeing in their favour but they ultimately were more clinical, but Delap’s injury is a concern with only Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro as recognised strikers ahead of a busy period for the club.
Nevertheless I do feel that Enzo Maresca’s Blues should have enough depth to win this but if Brentford can deliver a cleaner performance, I wouldn’t be surprised if they can nick a point.
Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Chelsea
Result: Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
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