The top club from Stamford Bridge played for a year and a half under Maresca’s leadership. They won the Conference League and the Club World Cup, finishing fourth in that Premier League season. It was a decent result, although the team’s performance was inconsistent in the new campaign.
However, a streak of winless matches and a sharply escalating conflict with management led to the Italian’s resignation. Without him, they managed to draw against City, but lost to Fulham. In the cup, though, they beat Charlton 5-1. The first serious test for Rosenior as the new head coach, the League Cup semifinal against Arsenal, ended in another defeat, 2-3.
Their less high-profile neighbors finished last season in the top 10 with 56 points. Keith Andrews has been in charge since the summer, and overall, he has managed to keep his new team among the Premier League mid-table sides. Wins over Everton and Sunderland allowed them to climb into the European competition zone. They also won 2-0 in the cup against Sheffield Wednesday.
The hosts have an average of 1.62 goals scored per game, but concede a third less—1.14. Igor Thiago and his teammates averaged 1.67 goals scored and 1.33 conceded.
Chelsea have won just one of their last eight matches
62% of Chelsea’s matches end with both teams scoring and the average total goals per match is 2.76
Brentford have won their last three matches
57% of Brentford’s matches end with both teams scoring and the average total goals per match is 3.0.
Chelsea (probable lineup): Sanchez – Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Gusto – Caicedo, Santos, Neto, Fernandez, Palmer – Delap.
Brentford (probable lineup): Kelleher – Henry, Collins, Ajer, Kayode – Yarmolyuk, Janelt, Henderson – Schade, Igor Thiago, Lewis-Potter.
In the last four encounters, there have been three draws and one victory for the current hosts.
