Brentford vs Chelsea - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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·5. April 2025

Brentford vs Chelsea - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Brentford had been unbeaten in five meetings with Chelsea, prior to a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge in December, meaning the Blues are aiming to complete a league-double over the Bees for the first time since 1946/47.

Brentford vs Chelsea Preview

In recent months, Brentford are winless at home, while Chelsea simply cannot win away, so who knows what to expect from this West London derby on Sunday. The Blues moved up to fourth in the Premier League table on Thursday, beating fierce rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Fernández's header shortly after half time enough to secure the points.

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This made it five successive Premier League home wins for Enzo Maresca's side albeit, on the road, it's a different story. The Blues have lost each of their last four away league games, winless in seven overall, form that has very much halted their progress. Chelsea's final four fixtures this season are Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), Man United (H) and Nottingham Forest (A) so, if the Blues are going to get into the Champions League places, every point is likely to prove precious.

Brentford meantime still harbour outside hopes of gatecrashing the European positions, currently 11th, six points adrift Brighton in eighth. The Bees, in stark contrast to their West London rivals, had won all five Premier League away games in 2025, prior to mid-week, when they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park.

At home meantime, Thomas Frank's team collected 22 points from a possible 24 to start the season, but are since winless in seven outings in front of their own fans, losing five of these fixtures. So, will Brentford claim their first home win since 7 December 2024, or can Chelsea win away for the first time since 8 December?

Brentford vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 22.

Brentford Team News

Thomas Frank is without Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Mathias Jensen, Fábio Carvalho, Gustavo Nunes and Igor Thiago, so few changes are forecast compared to Wednesday's lineup.

Kristoffer Ajer could return to defence, after Sepp van den Berg started at Newcastle, while Mikkel Damsgaard is expected to displace surprise starter Yegor Yarmolyuk in midfield.

Brentford predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-3-3): Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Nørgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade.

Brentford Players to Watch vs Chelsea

Bryan Mbeumo scored his 16th of the season at St James' on Wednesday, one of which came at Stamford Bridge in December, now aiming to add to his three goals against Chelsea.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca was delighted to welcome both Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson back into his XI on Thursday, while Noni Madueke made his own return following injury from the bench.

After only seeing eight minutes of action against Tottenham, Reece James could return at right-back. In the middle of defence, Trevoh Chalobah got the nod at Levi Colwill's partner, chosen over Benoît Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Wesley Fofana missed out due to a muscle problem. Moisés Caicedo will miss the Blues' next two league games, against Ipswich and Fulham, if booked.

Chelsea Player to Watch vs Brentford

Nicolas Jackson started in the Premier League for the first time since 3 February on Thursday, so can the Senegalese striker now net in a third successive appearance against Brentford?

Brentford vs Chelsea Prediction

We are backing Brentford to claim a surprise win on Sunday. Chelsea's away form has been shocking for a while, so we're forecasting another away day defeat for the Blues: Brentford 2-1 Chelsea.