Chelsea host West London rivals, Brentford in a massive showdown in the race for European qualification.
Victory could lift Chelsea as high as fifth if Manchester United fail to win at lunchtime, whilst Brentford can go fourth with a win if Liverpool slip up at home to Burnley.
Team News
Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens (both illness), Malo Gusto, Reece James and Cole Palmer (all knock) are set to be available for Chelsea after they missed the semi-final first-leg defeat against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Brentford will welcome Dango Ouattara back following his return from international duty at Africa Cup of Nations.
Jordan Henderson (ankle) is a doubt whilst new signing, Kaye Furo could be in contention for selection.
Frank Onyeka (international duty), Fabio Carvalho, Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo (all ACL) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 17 January at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have won just two of their nine Premier League meetings against Brentford (W2, D4, L3).
- Brentford have won three of their last four visits to Chelsea (W3, L1).
- Two of Chelsea’s last four meetings against Brentford have ended in 2-2 draws in March 2024 and September 2025 respectively.
- Chelsea are yet to lose at home to London rivals in three league matches this season (W1, D2).
- Brentford’s five away London derbies this season have been settled by two-goal margins (W1, L4), as they lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Tottenham but won 2-0 at West Ham and lost 3-1 at Fulham.
Prediction
Having been defensively outclassed by Arsenal on Wednesday evening and lucky to still be in their Carabao Cup tie through clinical goals from substitute, Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea clearly need to sort out their defensive issues amidst some poor goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez for their three conceded goals.
Brentford meanwhile are coming to Stamford Bridge in strong form after they demolished Sunderland in their last league outing, before a clinical FA Cup win at Sheffield Wednesday amidst eight changes which shows just how well they’re playing at the minute.
Keith Andrews will also be buoyed by the Bees’ recent away top-flight form at Chelsea with one defeat in last four trips, although I can see this game suiting them if they sit back and hit the Blues on quick counter-attacks given their current confidence.
If they do that and Chelsea continue to make defensive mistakes, I can see a high-scoring draw coming.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Brentford
Result: Chelsea 2-0 Bradford
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