EPL: Things to know ahead London Derby Chelsea 1

The Premier League’s two most potent teams clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday night, as Chelsea host Brentford in an all-West London Derby showdown.

Both sides added four goals to their totals with thrilling victories last weekend, and Brentford will be looking to extend their impressive record in this fixture.

Many will view this match as a guaranteed goal fest, with both teams currently leading the “goals for” chart, but that might be somewhat misleading.

Chelsea have scored only 12 of their 35 Premier League goals at Stamford Bridge this season, while Brentford have netted just five away goals, with only Southampton scoring fewer on the road.

However, the table seems set for Chelsea to cater away with the win with their eyes only being set on getting the 3-points rather than being “title contenders”.

Here are a few things to know ahead of the Blues and Bees content.

Head-to-Head

Chelsea won their first Premier League encounter with Brentford 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium in October 2021, but have since failed to win any of the following five meetings (D2, L3). 

The Bees have won all three of their Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, scoring eight goals and conceding just one. 

Thomas Frank’s side could become the first team to win four consecutive top-flight matches away to Chelsea since Leeds achieved the feat between 1973 and 1991. 

Last meeting: Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (2 March 2024) – Premier League

Chelsea

The Blues are on a four-match winning streak, scoring at least three goals in each of the last three games. The only other time they scored three or more goals in four consecutive league matches was 70 years ago during their title-winning season of 1954-55. 

Chelsea are the Premier League’s top scorers with 35 goals, four more than second-placed Brentford and Tottenham.  

They have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League London derbies (W8, D3).

Cole Palmer has been directly involved in a league-high 38 goals in 2024, with 25 goals and 13 assists. The last player to reach 40 Premier League goal involvements in a calendar year was Mohamed Salah in 2018. 

Palmer has the chance to score in four consecutive league appearances for the first time. 

Jadon Sancho is aiming to score in three successive top-flight matches for the first time since February 2021, when he was at Borussia Dortmund. 

Nicolas Jackson is set to make his 50th Premier League appearance.

Brentford

The Bees have earned just one point from a possible 21 in away games this season, compared to 22 points from 24 available at home. 

Their only away point came from a 0-0 draw at Everton last month. Southampton are the only other Premier League side to have gained just one point on the road this term. 

If Brentford concede at least twice in this match, they will become the second club to both score and concede 30 or more goals after 16 Premier League matches, following Leeds in 2020-21. 

Brentford have lost six consecutive Premier League away games against London rivals since their 2-0 win at Chelsea in October 2023. 

Yoane Wissa has scored 35 Premier League goals for Brentford, one shy of the club record set by Ivan Toney. 

Bryan Mbeumo’s nine Premier League goals match his career-best tally, set in each of the last two seasons. He is aiming to become the first Cameroonian player to score 10 or more goals in a Premier League season.

Predicted XI

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brentford (4-2-3-1):

Sanchez; Gusto, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Brentford predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Wissa.

Prediction:

Both teams to score

Over 1.5goals

Chelsea 3-1 Brentford

Stadium:

Stamford Bridge

Kick-off Time:

8:00pm (Nigerian Time)

Referee:

Peter Bankes

VAR:

Matt Donohue

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