Chelsea XI vs Brentford: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Blues battling virus in camp but should have Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Caicedo all back for west London derby

Palmer was initially expected to return to Chelsea training on Friday ahead of potentially facing the Bees, but he and captain James were both involved in Thursday’s session at Cobham in a boost to their chances of being involved at the weekend.

James took a blow to the hip, while Palmer’s issue was his thigh.

Malo Gusto has also missed both of Rosenior’s first two matches and is behind Palmer and James in his recovery. The versatile full-back is viewed as more of a doubt for the Brentford match.

Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens are also doubts because of a virus that has broken out at the Chelsea training ground, which kept them both sidelined against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie and is also now affecting several staff members.

Neither player was involved in training on Thursday as they remained at home with the club seeking to keep those suffering from illness away from the rest of the squad.

Moises Caicedo was suspended against Arsenal but is back available to face Brentford, while there remains no timeframe for Romeo Lavia’s return from a quad injury despite him starting to train away from the main group on Thursday.

Levi Colwill (knee) remains a long-term absentee and Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable for selection.

Predicted Chelsea XI against Brentford (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

Injured: Colwill, Lavia

Doubts: Gusto, Palmer, James, Delap, Gittens

Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday January 17, 2026

Venue: Stamford Bridge