The Storylines
Chelseas record at Brentford is one of the more remarkable statistics in English football: the Blues have not lost a competitive away match against the Bees since October 1938, a run stretching back 88 years and including four wins and four draws across all competitions since that solitary defeat. Xabi Alonsos Chelsea will look to extend that sequence in his first visit to the Gtech Community Stadium as manager, though his side arrive off the back of a defeat to Arsenal on September 6 and will need to turn recent draws into victories to build momentum before the extended international break.
There is also a personal subplot for Brentford: Jordan Henderson, who left the club for Chelsea on a free transfer over the summer, has been sidelined since sustaining a wrist injury while celebrating Englands World Cup quarter-final win over Mexico. Henderson has been training at Cobham and, according to Alonso, is in the "last stage" of his recovery, putting him in contention to face his former club on Friday night.
Team News
Brentford
Keith Andrews side remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, though their physical, direct approach was tested in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, where Kevin Schades brace and a string of saves from Caoimhin Kelleher salvaged a point despite the Bees managing only eight shots to their opponents twenty. Brentford will be without captain Nathan Collins, Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Sepp van den Berg through injury, with Mathias Jensen a doubt.
Chelsea
Alonsos rebuilt squad looks very different from the one that last beat Brentford 2-0 at Stamford Bridge — six players from that starting XI have since left the club. Only Marco Palestra is a confirmed absentee through injury, though Moises Caicedo, Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson are all doubts. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro are all expected to lead the attack regardless, with all three already among the goals this season.
Tactical Watch
Brentfords direct, duel-heavy approach has caused Chelsea problems in the past, but their draw at Bournemouth also exposed vulnerabilities Alonso may look to exploit — the Bees allowed their opponents twenty shots and 2.18 expected goals in that match. With Cole Palmer dropping into pockets between midfield and defence, Morgan Rogers capable of carrying the ball through pressure, and Joao Pedros movement across the front line, Chelsea have the attacking tools to test a Brentford defence already missing several key names.
Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Why he matters |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Schade | Brentford | Scored twice against Bournemouth and remains Brentfords most dangerous attacking outlet |
| Caoimhin Kelleher | Brentford | Made eight saves last time out; crucial to keeping Brentfords unbeaten run alive |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | Chelseas creative focal point, already among the goals this season |
| Jordan Henderson | Chelsea | Nearing a return from injury and could face his former club for the first time |
Follow Brentford vs Chelsea Live
Live score updates, match stats, lineups and full Premier League standings are available on Nowgoal as kick-off approaches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
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