The first international break of the season is out of the way, and the Premier League is back. Chelsea make the short trip to Brentford for their fourth consecutive ‘London’ derby, hoping to get a result at a ground they’ve had little success at in the past.
By Alex Roberts
It’s been hard to get a read on Brentford in the early stages of the season. A 3-1 opening game defeat to Nottingham Forest was quickly forgotten then they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in their next fixture. In turn, that result was brushed to the side when they lost 2-1 to newly promoted Sunderland last time out.
Enzo Maresca and Co can thank VAR for at least one decision in their 2-0 win over Fulham, but what goes around comes around, and they’ll doubtless be hoping that doesn’t happen so soon.
Move over Arsenal, there’s a new Set Piece FC in town
Last season, Chelsea very rarely refused to take a short corner, in 2025-26, they can’t get enough of pumping the ball into the box from a set piece. Four of their seven goals so far this campaign have come from corners, a Premier League high.
João Pedro bagged their first, nodding in from close range to score the equaliser against West Ham. Moisés Caicedo got their second in the same game with a big assist from a flappy Mads Hermansen in the Hammers’ goal.
Trevoh Chalobah got in on the act shortly after with Pedro scoring his second set piece goal in the next game against Fulham. Chelsea paid Brentford a reported £1 million for set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva last year and he’s really starting to earn his keep.
Who needs Yoane Wissa?
The now Newcastle striker was on strike all summer to force through his move to Eddie Howe’s side, ironic, eh? He formed part of the league’s most prolific duo last season, alongside Bryan Mbeumo, but that’s all a thing of the past.
Big Igor Thiago is the present and future of Brentford’s attacking ambitions. Standing 6’3”, the Brazilian is an absolute handful, just ask the Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Sunderland centre-backs who’ve faced him this season.
He doesn’t need much of a chance to put the ball in the back of the net. Thiago has had the fewest number of touches of any outfield player in two of his three Premier League games so far. He’s persistent with a lil nasty streak too, winning 20 ground duels, 14 aerials, and committing nine fouls.
Team news
The injuries are starting to pile up at Stamford Bridge. Liam Delap is out for at least eight weeks after picking up a hamstring early in the win over Fulham, while new signing Dário Essugo had to go under the knife due to a thigh problem.
There hasn’t been much indication other than a cryptic Instagram post that Cole Palmer could return for this one, given his importance to the side, don’t expect Chelsea to take any risks with his fitness. Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, and Benoît Badiashile are also out.
As for Brentford, their only injured first-team regular is defensive midfielder Vitaly Janelt, who remains a doubt.
Prediction
The last game between the two in April was one of the dullest 0-0 draws in the history of dull 0-0 draws. We don’t expect this one to be much better, although there should be goals, so we’re going safe with 1-1.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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