Chelsea vs Brentford: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea are on a roll under Enzo Maresca, with their victory at Tottenham last weekend lifting them up to second in the Premier League table. The Blues are now just five points adrift of Liverpool, who drew with Fulham on Saturday to temporarily tie things up in the Games Played column.

Maresca's side haven't tasted defeat since 30 October, and their unbeaten run in all competitions extended to nine games on Thursday as they downed Astana 3-1 in Kazakhstan.

The hosts are hunting for their first win over their west London rivals since December 2021 on Sunday.

Brentford, despite losing Ivan Toney in the summer, have dazzled in spurts this season and have been superb on home soil. In fact, no team has picked up more home points in the Premier League than Thomas Frank's Bees, but they've accumulated a mere point on their travels.

Their road woes mean they sit ninth in the table but within touching distance of the European spots.

Chelsea team news

Noni Madueke will come into the team for the suspended Pedro Neto

Those who featured in Kazakhstan on Thursday are unlikely to play a role here, with Maresca poised to name a similar XI from last Sunday's triumph at Tottenham.

Noni Madueke will come in for Pedro Neto, who's suspended, down the right, while Malo Gusto's inclusion should force Moises Caicedo into midfield at Romeo Lavia's expense. Lavia was withdrawn at half-time in N17.

Reece James and Wesley Fofana are both sidelined due to hamstring injuries, while Mykhailo Mudryk is a doubt due to illness.

Brentford team news

Brentford have a fairly extensive injury list

Frank named an uber-aggressive lineup against Newcastle last weekend but is likely to opt for a more pragmatic XI on Sunday.

The German will likely revert to a back four with Mads Roerslev coming into the side. Mikkel Damsgaard has played an underrated role in Brentford's success this season and should return to Frank's team having earned a rest against Newcastle.

The visitors' injury list remains extensive, and Vitaly Janelt is the latest casualty. The midfielder's a doubt for Sunday's game due to a knock. Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Mathias Jensen, and Josh Dasilva are sidelined.

Chelsea vs Brentford score prediction

Maresca's side have shown some frailties at home this season, drawing to both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace after losing on the opening weekend to Manchester City. However, those results currently appear like distant memories.

The Blues have found a majestic groove and are well in the title conversation. When you've got Cole Palmer in your side, you're never out of a contest.

The hosts are facing an expansive Brentford who've often been caught cold on the road this season. A single point from seven Premier League away games is a woeful return - the joint-worst record in the division. While their recent results against Chelsea should embolden Frank's side, it's hard to envisage anything but a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Brentford