Brentford host Chelsea at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday evening. The Bees have made a brilliant start to life in the top flight and have lost just two of their last 22 matches dating back to last season. Chelsea sits top of the log and is aiming to become the first team in English Football League history to win seven consecutive away London derbies.
Brentford Form
The Bees have had a brilliant start to this season with just one defeat in seven Premier League matches. That comes on the back of just one defeat in 15 to finish last season in the EFL Championship. After beating Arsenal 2-0 on an opening day, Brentford had a couple of solid away draws before losing 1-0 at home to Brighton.
They have bounced back to win 2-0 at Wolves despite playing the final 26 minutes with ten men – they put up 2.33 xG and allowed Wolves just 1.02 xG. A 3-3 home draw with Liverpool followed as they twice came from behind as they produced 2.1 xG. Their last match saw a big 2-1 win at West Ham as Yoane Wissa scored a 94th-minute winner.
Brentford Team News
Yoann Wissa is pushing hard to get a start-up front having netted an equalizer vs Liverpool and a winner at West Ham. However, he will probably remain a substitute for this one.
There are a couple of injuries in defence for Thomas Frank to deal with. Mads Sorensen is out long-term with a knee injury. Kristoffer Ajer is also doubtful at center back. Mathias Jorgensen could cover in the back three. Shandon Baptiste went off with a dislocated shoulder against West Ham and could be missing in midfield where Josh Dasilva is still absent.
Brentford Motivation
Thomas Frank’s side has shown an ability to dig in this season to get results but generally plays an attacking, open style. They took the game to both Arsenal and Liverpool and backed by their own fans in an evening kickoff, are sure to do the same against Chelsea.
They will play to win the match but may settle for a point in the second half as that would also be an excellent result. In Yoane Wissa, they have an impact sub who could turn the result.
Chelsea Form
Chelsea sits top of the Premier League after seven matches which is impressive considering away trips to Spurs (3-0 win), Arsenal (2-0 win), and Liverpool (1-1 draw with ten men for 45 minutes) and facing Man City at home. They lost the latter match 1-0 in a poor home display with just 0.2 xG created.
Having leaked just one goal in their first five PL matches, Chelsea has conceded in each of their last two. They still managed to beat Southampton thanks to late Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell’s goals once their opponents were down to ten men.
Chelsea Team News
Thomas Tuchel has some big calls to make. Thiago Silva is not expected to feature as he lands back from Brazil on Friday. Andreas Christensen should take his place, meaning Trevor Chalobah starts on the right of the back three again. Reece James is still doubtful and so is winger Christian Pulisic. Antonio Rudiger and Romelu Lukaku should be fit after knocks on international duty.
N’Golo Kante is back in training after COVID-19 but may only be a substitute with Ruben Loftus-Cheek hoping to keep his place alongside either Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic. More likely is that the latter duo both play. In attack, Timo Werner will hope to start alongside Romelu Lukaku and Mason Mount is now fully fit to start so Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to drop out.
Chelsea Motivation
Chelsea will play to win this match. With the loud crowd and some direct football up to Ivan Toney mixed in, Tuchel will have to get his side fully motivated in order to win this match.
Expect the Blues to try to keep possession in deeper areas to take the sting out of the crowd and the occasions. A draw would be seen as a poor result.
Key Stats
Brentford have conceded in 4 of their last 5 PL matches
Brentford are the first team in PL history to remain unbeaten in their first 3 London derbies
Brentford have lost their last 2 matches against CFC by 4-0 score-lines (FA Cup in 2013 & 2017)
Chelsea have conceded in their last 4 matches in all competitions
CFC have lost just 1 of their last 12 away PL matches (W8, D3)
Chelsea have won each of their last six away London derbies in the Premier League
Verdict
This is a tough test for Chelsea. Brentford will be a threat with their crowd behind them and having a back three themselves to nullify Tuchel’s side. Both sides to score looks like a good tip and backing Chelsea to win in combination with other bets looks a shrewd option.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 2.20
Value Bet: Chelsea win and both teams to score at 4.00
Multiple Option: Draw/Chelsea double chance + over 1.5 goals at 1.60
Correct Score Tip: Brentford 1-2 Chelsea at 8.25
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