Chelsea vs Brentford – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our midweek Premier League predictions, we take a look at Brentford’s visit to Stamford Bridge. Over the last 10 games, Chelsea are in 17th place; Brentford haven’t won in six. Stalemate? Read on with our Chelsea vs Brentford prediction.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Chelsea:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Koulibaly, James, Mount, Havertz, Broja

Brentford:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Ajer, Jansson, Norgaard, Lewis-Potter

Chelsea vs Brentford Lineups (Predicted)

Chelsea (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Chilwell, Badiashile, Fofana, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Fernandez, Kante; Felix, Sterling, Gallagher

Brentford (4-3-3): Raya; Henry, Mee, Pinnock, Hickey; Jensen, Onyeka, Janelt; Wissa, Toney, Mbeumo

Chelsea vs Brentford Analysis

Chelsea Are In Poor Form, But Will Likely Control Possession

As mentioned, Chelsea’s form has been awful all season, particularly in recent weeks. However, they remain a side with more of the ball in most matches, especially at Stamford Bridge. Hence, coming up against a Brentford side that so often concede possession and have completed far fewer passes than Chelsea, the Blues are highly likely to dominate the ball in this encounter and look for gaps and ways to break down Brentford in the final third.

Therefore, we anticipate Chelsea playing 4-3-3 to accommodate Kovacic, Kante, and the deeper-lying Fernandez in midfield. Gallagher, too, will drop in here from his nominal right-wing position as he is not a natural wide man. This formation should ensure that Chelsea retain the ball well. Indeed, Kovacic is extremely tidy on the ball and has it in him to break through the Brentford press, disrupting their shape.

Kante will be his usual tireless, energetic self and will look to make sure Brentford get no time in midfield (though whether all the injuries have seen him lose a step remains open to question). Fernandez must try to get on the ball and initiate attacks. He’s been dribbled past often in his short time at Chelsea, so he must be diligent when Brentford counter and not allow players to beat him with pace and skill on transitions.

Havertz is out, as is James at right-back. Therefore, Chilwell, Felix and Sterling will likely be Chelsea’s prime attacking threats and players such as Pulisic, Mudryk and Ziyech will also play a part. Chelsea must feed their wingers, who can then try to deliver crosses into the box for incoming players. They can also try to dribble with trickery to enter the box more cerebrally or come inside onto the centre-backs to shoot. The pace, dribbling ability and invention of the likes of Felix and Sterling will be crucial if Chelsea are to win.

Brentford Are Also Struggling. Their Physicality and Counter-Attacking Are Their Attributes

As covered earlier, Brentford are also experiencing struggles after a mainly impressive second season in the Premier League. Therefore, they make the trip across London probably with less confidence of repeating last season’s famous win in this fixture than they would have had a couple of months ago. Still, they possess plenty of quality. They will concede possession to Chelsea and maintain a compact shape, looking to impose their physicality and bully Chelsea. They also do well in the air, so we anticipate them playing many high balls and crosses.

The back four and Raya must be very disciplined and not allow any space for Chelsea’s forwards to exploit. Raya’s ability as a sweeper-keeper and distributor will be vital for Brentford in this match. These abilities can stop Chelsea counters and launch into their own quick attacks for Brentford. Raya’s passing out from the back must be composed in the face of a potential Chelsea high press.

Norgaard – one of Brentford’s best players – is out of this game, which is a blow as he sets the tone for the Bees in midfield. Therefore, Onyeka will likely come in alongside Jensen and one of Janelt or Dasilva. All three must press the Chelsea midfield heavily to transition into subsequent attacks. Dasilva especially has the cuteness to find space in midfield and evade the press. All these players work tirelessly and are good at getting forwards and sometimes supplementing the attack.

As stated, Brentford’s physicality is a massive plus. They’ll look to play balls directly down the channels and into the flanks for Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa and Toney to chase. These players love getting wide and outmuscling or taking on full-backs with their pace and dribbling, and they also like delivering crosses. The ability of these players to come inside and shoot and to get crosses into the box (supported by Henry and Hickey) is vital.

Also important will be Brentford’s ability from set pieces. They are a big, strong team who can take advantage of these situations against a vulnerable Chelsea side. Indeed, their power in both boxes could see them score from a corner or free kick. In more technical terms, the creative, diminutive Damsgaard is another possible participant in this game.

Our Prediction

As both sides are in such poor form and have no momentum, this game becomes difficult to call. A month or two ago, we would be backing Brentford to show up at Stamford Bridge and bully their capital rivals. However, they are experiencing a lull, and Thomas Frank’s men’s confidence must be pretty low. They have been unlucky in some games recently but aren’t getting results.

Chelsea have been woeful for most of the season and well below their previous standard. Previous coach Graham Potter was hung out to dry, as he was handed a massive squad with no real cohesion or thought as to how the team would operate or how they could build chemistry on the pitch. Under Frank Lampard, things haven’t improved and arguably worsened.

Having blanked this weekend, Chelsea have had more rest than Brentford, which could help them in this game. However, we don’t trust them to win any game right now. Despite this, we considered giving them the benefit of the doubt and backing them to get a narrow 1-0 victory because of the Bees’ current struggles. With both teams enduring a difficult moment, though, a stalemate seems sensible to predict.

Chelsea 1-1 Brentford

Chelsea vs Brentford Betting Tip – Draw Odds: