Chelsea vs Brentford Preview: Team News & Prediction
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In-form Chelsea continue their title challenge as they welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the Bees yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 15th December, 2024: UK – 7:00pm / US ET – 2:00pm / US PT – 11:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – nbc.com
Chelsea Preview: Onwards & upwards
Chelsea are flying at the moment having won their last six games in all competitions, with four of those coming in the Premier League. Heading into the weekend, the Blues are Liverpool's nearest title challengers, while they are top of the table in the UEFA Conference League having made it five wins from five in the league phase on Thursday.
Enzo Maresca's side played out a hugely entertaining contest with London rivals Spurs last weekend, coming from 2-0 down to eventually win 3-4 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Brentford Preview: Strong at home, woeful away
Brentford were also involved in a high-octane Premier League encounter last weekend, sharing four first-half goals with Newcastle before scoring twice in the second period to claim a 4-2 victory which saw them move into the top half of the table.
There are two sides to the coin with the Bees though, as they have picked up just one point on their Premier League travels this season, losing the other six contests.
Chelsea Team News: Neto suspended
As usual, Maresca made wholesale changes to his Conference League line-up on Thursday, with the exception of Pedro Neto. The Portuguese international is not available this weekend however, after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Spurs.
Elsewhere, Wesley Fofana and Reece James are still out, while youngster Omari Kellyman is still working on his fitness after a hamstring injury and could secure a loan move in January.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Unavailable: Fofana (Injured), James (Injured), Kellyman (Fitness), Neto (Suspended)
Questionable:
Brentford Team News: Jensen out but Janelt could be fit
Thomas Frank hopes that Vitaly Janelt will be fit to take his place in midfield, with Yehor Yarmoliuk likely to make way should the German midfielder prove his fitness.
Frank has hinted that fit-again Kristoffer Ajer could make his first start since October, but Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen are out for the visitors.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock; Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Lewis-Potter; Mbeumo, Schade; Wissa
Unavailable: Hickey (Injured), Henry (Fitness), Dasilva (Injured), Jensen (Injured)
Questionable: Janelt (Injured), Nunes (Fitness)
Chelsea vs Brentford Prediction
Despite the fact that Maresca and Frank will be pleased with their respective sides' positions in the table, clean sheets have been hard to come by for both teams.
Chelsea have conceded in five of their six home Premier League games in 2024-25, while Brentford boast only two shutouts in their 18 games in all competitions this season. The Bees' terrible away form means that Chelsea have to be favoured, but don't be surprised if they concede along the way.
Chelsea vs Brentford Tip: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
