Chelsea welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge for a West London derby in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
The Bees will be buzzing to face the Blues as they have picked up seven points from a possible nine available in their last three league meetings, scoring six goals and conceding only one in the process.
Match preview
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Chelsea appeared to be on course to claim their third successive Premier League victory in a London derby with a below-far Arsenal outfit last weekend, as they boasted a two-goal lead heading into the final quarter of an hour courtesy of a Cole Palmer penalty and a somewhat freakish effort from Mykhaylo Mudryk.
However, the Gunners were gifted a way back into the contest on the 77-minute mark, when Declan Rice curled Robert Sanchez's sloppy pass beyond the Spaniard into the far corner – Arsenal's first shot on target – before Leandro Trossard tapped home at the back post to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have shown signs of progress in recent weeks under Mauricio Pochettino, picking up more points (seven) and scoring more goals (eight) in their last three Premier League matches than they did in their previous nine, and the point claimed against Arsenal has seen them climb into the top 10, four points behind the top six and eight points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.
An extended run of positive results in required if the Blues wish to close in on the European spots heading into the festive period, but a tricky fixture schedule is on the horizon as Saturday's clash with Brentford is followed by league encounters with table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur, champions Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United.
Chelsea enter Saturday's match with Brentford seeking to amend both their home form and record against fellow London clubs; the Blues have won just two of their last 15 Premier League fixtures at Stamford Bridge, winning just one of their opening five home games so far this season, while they have only won two of their last 12 top-flight London derbies.
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Brentford have also had their struggles on home soil this season, but they claimed their first three points at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-man Burnley.
Goals from Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Saman Ghoddos helped the Bees end their six-game winless run in style, with Thomas Frank's side moving up to 14th in the Premier League table, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Victory over Burnley has certainly eased any fears of a possible dogfight near the foot of the table, while securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season on Saturday would see Brentford climb above Chelsea into the top half, as they endeavour to match or better their ninth-placed finish from 2022-23.
Brentford have failed to win their last three top-flight away games, but they will fancy their chances of success over the Blues as they have won both of their previous two Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, with a 4-1 triumph in April 2022 followed by a 2-0 victory in April of this year; no team in the division's history has ever won their first three matches on Chelsea's turf.
The Bees also boast an impressive 12-game unbeaten run in London derbies in the Premier League, winning six and drawing six, their longest run without defeat against fellow capital-based clubs. Frank's men have won their last three such away games during this run, including a 3-0 success at Fulham in August.
Team News
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Chelsea are still having to cope without Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka (all knee), Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah (both thigh) and Romeo Lavia (ankle) due to injury; Armando Broja (knee) is also sidelined but could recover in time for next week's EFL Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.
Reece James recovered from a hamstring problem to make a substitute appearance last weekend and the right-back is set to compete with Malo Gusto for a start against Brentford, while Axel Disasi will push to return at centre-back, and his potential inclusion in the first XI could see Levi Colwill move over to left-back at the expense of Marc Cucurella.
Palmer, who has contributed with two goals and two assists in his last four starts, is expected to retain his place in attack, while Nicolas Jackson will be hoping to force his way back into the starting lineup ahead of either Mudryk or Raheem Sterling.
As for Brentford, Rico Henry, Mikkel Damsgaard (both knee), Kevin Schade (groin), Josh Dasilva (hamstring), Shandon Baptiste (shoulder) and Keane Lewis-Potter (calf) all remained sidelined due to injury.
However, Aaron Hickey is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, and the Scotsman is expected to return at left-back, with Vitaly Janelt swapping his makeshift defensive role for a more familiar position in centre-midfield.
Ben Mee is also fit and available and could be handed a start in a back three alongside Nathan Collins and Ethan Pinnock if Frank opts to switch to a 3-5-2 formation; such a move would likely see Neal Maupay drop to the substitutes' bench as Mbeumo and Wissa lead the line.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Hickey; Mbeumo, Wissa
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Brentford have taken advantage of Chelsea's decline in recent meetings and will hope to inflict further damage on the Blues as they endeavour to build on their victory over Burnley last time out.
However, Chelsea are beginning to turn things around under Pochettino and if their attackers lace their shooting boots on Saturday, we can see the hosts claiming a slender win at Stamford Bridge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
