Brentford boss Thomas Frank speaks to TNT Sports. “We have been so good in this formation against the bigger teams … we know we are difficult to play against as a defensive side … touch wood that is still the case today … we know we are good and have a chance today, but we also know we can lose today to an unbelievably good side.”
Chelsea make three changes to their starting XI after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Saturday. Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke are in; Malo Gusto drops to the bench, while Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandes miss out altogether, the latter looking after a brand new baby.
Brentford make two changes after the 3-0 rout of Burnley. Aaron Hickey and Mads Roerslev are in; Neal Maupay and Frank Onyeka drop to the bench.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Cucurella, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Gallagher, Caicedo, Sterling, Palmer, Jackson, Madueke.
Subs: Badiashile, Ugochukwu, James, Gusto, Petrovic, Maatsen, Deivid Washington, Beach, Matos.
Brentford: Flekken, Ajer, Pinnock, Collins, Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Hickey, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Subs: Maupay, Jorgensen, Ghoddos, Onyeka, Mee, Strakosha, Yarmolyuk, Olakigbe, Brierley.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).
Chelsea are back, baby! Well, sort of. Mauricio Pochettino’s box-fresh side are slowly beginning to find their groove, and were 13 minutes away from a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions until a late implosion against Arsenal. They finished that match smarting, having played excellently for the most part against bitter rivals only to somehow magic three points into one, but nevertheless the mood music at Stamford Bridge is, for the first time in a while, upbeat.
Well, sort of. There are two fairly big caveats to that analysis: Chelsea have only won one of their last 12 Premier League matches at home, and that against a callow Luton side; and they’ve won just two of their last 12 Premier League matches against fellow Londoners, a run that includes two successive defeats to Brentford at home. Can Brentford make it three out of three at the Bridge since their promotion? We’ll find out soon enough. Kick-off is at 12.30pm BST. It’s on!