BRENTFORD V CHELSEA: A 14/1 Bet Builder for Friday’s West London Derby

Will Reilly previews the Friday Night Football in the Premier League.

Brentford v Chelsea Tips

Both teams to score (2/5)
Over 2.5 goals (12/25)
Kevin Schade to score (49/20)
Cole Palmer to score (17/10)
Chelsea to win (13/10)

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Brentford v Chelsea Preview

A West London derby, 6th v 5th in the Premier League table, and two sides separated by just one point.

– Brentford v Chelsea full markets.

Brentford have made a solid start to the season, picking up one win and three draws from their opening four league games, while Chelsea have recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat.

Brentford have six points to their name, with Chelsea on seven.

On the face of it, this looks like a closely matched contest, but there is one obvious difference between the two sides so far this season – goals.

Chelsea have scored 10 goals in their four league games, with only Brighton (13) scoring more. However, they have also conceded nine, with only Ipswich (10), Crystal Palace (11) and Coventry (10) conceding more.

That combination makes Chelsea one of the Premier League’s most entertaining sides at present – but also one of the least convincing defensively.

Chelsea’s defensive problems

Chelsea have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League matches, with Brentford, ironically, the last side to shut them out when the teams played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on January 17.

The numbers get even worse when looking at a longer period, with Chelsea keeping just one clean sheet in their last 26 league games.

With Robert Sanchez now enjoying life at Como, a new scapegoat will have to be identified if Chelsea’s defensive problems continue.

Brentford, however, are hardly bullet-proof themselves.

The Bees kept just 10 clean sheets in 38 league games last season, with five coming at home and five away from the Gtech Community Stadium.

They also conceded at least twice in seven of their 19 home league games, including a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

There is little in the early-season numbers to suggest that either defence is suddenly about to become impenetrable.

Head-to-head record

The two sides have met just five times with Brentford at home in the top flight of English football since 1947.

The results have been:

2-2, 0-0, 2-2, 0-0 and 0-1.

That is an interesting sequence, but the sample is far too small to carry much significance.

More relevant is what we have seen this season.

Brentford have kept just one clean sheet in six matches in all competitions, while Chelsea have also managed only one shutout in their six games.

That certainly points towards goals at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday, with Both Teams to Score an obvious market to consider.

Goalscorers to watch

There is also plenty of attacking quality on both sides.

Chelsea’s João Pedro has scored three league goals so far this season, matching Morgan Rogers’ tally, while Cole Palmer has contributed two Premier League goals and another two in the League Cup.

Brentford have scored seven times in their four league matches, with Kevin Schade responsible for three of those goals and Vitaly Janelt scoring twice.

Schade and Palmer will be among the players to watch, while João Pedro’s availability will be particularly important for Chelsea.

Team news

Brentford

Striker Kaye Furo has undergone surgery for an unspecified injury.

Joshua Dasilva (thigh) is out until after the international break, while Antoni Milambo (knee) is recovering well but remains at least three weeks away from first-team involvement.

Nathan Collins (calf) and Sepp van den Berg (groin/hip) are also expected to remain out until after the international break.

Matthias Jensen (muscle strain) is nearing a return to fitness but will not be available this weekend.

Chelsea

João Pedro sparked concern among Chelsea supporters on Wednesday after withdrawing from the Brazil squad ahead of the international break, with further news awaited.

Moises Caicedo (calf) could be available, although Chelsea are unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with him. His absence has been keenly felt during the opening weeks of the season.

Marco Palestra (knock) is closing in on full fitness and could return to contention.

Jordan Henderson (wrist) has returned to training but is unlikely to start against his former side, although he could make the match-day squad.

Emmanuel Emegha (unspecified) is also back in training and could be involved.

Recent results

Chelsea have had six days to reflect on their surprising 2-2 home draw with Hull, who were arguably unlucky not to leave Stamford Bridge with all three points.

Brentford, meanwhile, were in League Cup action on Tuesday night, travelling to League One side Reading and coming away with a 2-1 victory.

Neither side has shown much defensive consistency during the opening weeks of the campaign, and that could make for an entertaining Friday night in West London.

Verdict

This is an important match for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea, particularly after successive setbacks.

If Chelsea are to play a meaningful role in the title race, their attacking talent and flair will need to be matched by greater defensive solidity. The squad has plenty of quality, and they will be determined to return to winning ways before the international break.

That will not be straightforward against a confident, capable and well-drilled Brentford side.

Keith Andrews’ side would move up to third with a victory, while Chelsea would also climb to third if they take all three points.

With both teams struggling to keep clean sheets and plenty of attacking talent on display, goals look to be the main betting angle.

Brentford v Chelsea Bet Builder

Chelsea to win
Kevin Schade to score anytime
Cole Palmer to score anytime
Odds: 14/1