“Very interesting game” – Paul Merson gives his Chelsea vs Brentford prediction

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the Chelsea News

·16 gennaio 2026

“Very interesting game” – Paul Merson gives his Chelsea vs Brentford prediction

Chelsea host Brentford at Stamford Bridge in a huge game on Saturday afternoon and Paul Merson has given his prediction.

The match will be Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League game in charge of the Blues, and he’s won one and lost one of his first two games.

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Chelsea desperately need the three points as they look to secure Champions League qualification, and are currently in eighth, two points behind the Bees.

Paul Merson makes Chelsea vs Brentford prediction

Chelsea aren’t in good form and are on a run of one win in their last nine league matches, and three wins in 13 in all competitions.

It’s unclear whether Reece James and Cole Palmer will return having missed the last two games, whilst it remains to be seen if Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens have recovered from illness.

Brentford have been a surprise package and have a good record against Chelsea, with the fixture earlier in the season finishing 2-2.

Chelsea need to get three points against Brentford. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Igor Thiago is in fine form, and Chelsea face a tough task stopping the Brazilian, who’s scored 16 league goals this season, and Merson has given his prediction.

“This is a very interesting game. Brentford are flying. I didn’t see them getting relegated from the very beginning. Igor Thiago has been the big revelation of the season,” he told Sportskeeda.

“I saw the first two games of Liam Rosenior’s reign at Chelsea. As per my understanding, what he’s trying to do is play through the middle. It worked against Charlton, who are nowhere near the same level. But they can’t keep playing that way!

“Chelsea fans will turn up expecting to win against Brentford on Saturday. But this is a hard game. Brentford are playing with unbelievable confidence, while Chelsea are a work-in-progress. I think the hosts will edge it.

“Paul Merson’s prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford.”