Premier League matchday 33 will feature Chelsea Vs Brentford at Stamford Bridge – the West London Derby comes up on Wednesday.
Placed 11th and 10th on the Premier League table, both teams, who have struggled to pick form will lock horns at Stamford Bridge.
Match Preview
Frank Lampard will take charge of his fifth match as Chelsea interim manger. All his last four games have ended in a defeat hence the Chelsea legend will be hoping to redeem his image when he takes on the Bees at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Frank has struggled in the Premier League this month. He is yet to secure a win and seems to have slipped off the race for a European spot.
They are 10th on the Premier League table with 44 points from 32 games, 9 points away from the Europa League spot.
However, the Bees have been giant killers this season, tormenting big teams in the league. They have secured victories over Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool.
Thomas Frank’s side proved a force to reckon with early in the season being a thorn in the flesh of top teams in the league.
They went to Etihad to salvage all three points with a 2-1 win over Manchester City before the World Cup break, including a 4-0 drubbing of Manchester United early in the season at the Gtech Community Stadium.
After a fiery run that placed the club on a vantage position for a European spot, it appears the Bees have downed tools.
Their last Premier League win came in March in a 2-0 away win over Southampton. They drew Leicester, lost to Manchester United, Newcastle, and Wolves before drawing Aston Villa in their last game.
However, Thomas Frank will hope to return to winning ways at Stamford Bridge when taking on a crisis-ridden Chelsea.
Chelsea’s last Premier League win was a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in March.
They drew Everton, lost to Aston Villa, drew Liverpool, and lost to Wolves and Brighton.
Chelsea are undefeated in their last five games against Brentford. The reverse fixture between the two sides ended in a goalless draw but Chelsea have won the last four meetings before the game.
Team News
Leading Chelsea injury list ahead of the West London Derby is Armando Broja and Kalidou Coulibaly. Both players are sidelined due to harmstring issues.
A host of Chelsea stars will be available for Lampard’s selection Madueke, Aubameyang, Badiashile, Chilwell, and Fofana will all be available for selection.
At the middle of the park, Frank Lampard is expected to start regular name Enzo Fernandez. N’Golo Kante may also make the starting lineup after playing full 90 minutes against Real Madrid in Champions League.
Loftus-Cheek and Dennis Zakaria will also be available while Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, and Mudryk are expected to fight for a place in the starting lineup.
Brentford will be heading into the game with Ajer, Jansson, and Lewis-Potter all sidelined.
Rico Henry and Ben Mee are prime defenders to start for the Bees at the defense while Josh Da Silva, Janelt, and Jensen may likely start at the middle of the park.
Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo are expected to lead the charge in the attacking lineup.
Starting Lineup
Chelsea probable lineup:
Kepa; Fofana, James, Chilwell, Silva; Kante, Kovacic, Fernandez; Mudryk, Felix, Havertz
Brentford probable lineup:
Raya; Mee, Hickey, Henry, Pinnock; Jensen, Dasilva, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgard, Toney
Prediction
Both teams are struggling to return to winning ways in the month of April since their last victories in March. The game will likely end in a 1-1 draw.
