West London rivals Brentford and Chelsea meet at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday Night Football in what promises to be an entertaining clash.
Xabi Alonso made the perfect start to his reign as Chelsea manager, with the Blues winning 2-3 away at another West London club, Fulham, before winning 4-3 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, the Blues’ defensive frailties have cost them in their next two games, as they lost 2-1 away at champions Arsenal, before drawing 2-2 at home to newly-promoted Hull City.
Morgan Rogers has given Chelsea another early lead against the Tigers, but the reigning Club World champions required a Joao Pedro strike and a couple of saves from goalkeeper Emi Martinez to rescue a point.
Brentford also come into this clash off the back of a 2-2 draw in the Premier League, as a Kevin Schade brace earned the Bees a point away at Bournemouth.
That result maintained Keith Andrews’ hosts’ unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign (W1-D3-L0, but their solitary victory came on the opening day of the season in a 3-0 rout over Spurs.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea favourites
Despite only picking up a point from their last two Premier League outings, Chelsea are favourites to claim all three points, with bet365 pricing the Blues at 13/10.
Brentford are 15/8 to secure a second maximum of the season, whilst the draw is 27/10.
Head to head: Five unbeaten for the Blues
Chelsea are unbeaten in each of their previous five Premier League meetings with Brentford, including a 2-0 win in their most recent meeting at Stamford Bridge at the turn of the year.
However, the last three meetings at the Gtech have ended in draws, and a repeat appeals.
Players to watch: Palmer and Rogers to produce more magic?
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have both had a sensational start to the campaign, with the pair scoring four goals each in league and cup, with the Chelsea number 10 having two assists to his name, whilst ex-Villa man Rogers has four.
This is just down to personal choice when deciding who to back here, with Cole Palmer at 4/5 to Score or Assist, whilst Morgan Rogers is 20/21.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Brentford will be without the injured Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg and Kafe Furo.
Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha all remain doubts for the Blues.
Brentford: Kelleher, Hickey, Ajer, Schuster, Lewis-Potter, Janelt, Sangare, Anthony, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Thiago
Chelsea: Martinez, Gusto, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato, James, Lavia, Neto, Palmer, Rogers, Pedro
Anything else catch the eye?
Scoring goals hasn’t been an issue for Chelsea so far this season, with the Blues scoring 18 goals across their opening six matches in all competitions.
However, it’s at the other end of the pitch that’s been problematic, with their only clean sheet coming at home to League One outfit Luton Town in the cup – shipping 2+ goals in all five of their clashes against Premier League opposition – and the Bees are 10/11 to bag a brace.
Both Teams to Score has paid out in each of Brentford’s last five matches in all competitions, whilst 4/6 (67%) have gone Over 2.5 Goals, but Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals pays just 4/6 at bet365.
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