By the time Premier League leaders Chelsea have made the seven-mile journey across west London to Lionel Road, their spot on the summit could be lost. They will do well to gain it back against a Brentford side who have already proven to be a challenge for top opposition at home this season.
Arsenal fell to a 2-0 defeat in front of a raucous Brentford Community Stadium crowd on the opening day of the season while Liverpool would have been relieved to escape from their trip to the capital with a 3-3 draw. Brentford supporters have been waiting 82 years for a win over Chelsea, though this fixture has not been played in the league since 1947. Will that end this weekend? Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
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Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Oct. 16 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Brentford Community Stadium — London
TV: NBC | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Brentford +525; Draw +270; Chelsea -165 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Brentford vs. Chelsea
Storylines
Brentford: Promoted to the Premier League with a reputation for swashbuckling football, Brentford have carved out a top-half slot for themselves in a rather different fashion. Through seven games, they have conceded just six goals, the fourth-best record in the division and level with Liverpool. In a way not too dissimilar to Chelsea, their back three is exceptional at stopping opponents getting into the penalty area, if they do they face a goalkeeper in fine form.
David Raya has excelled in sweeping up in behind his defense, often snuffing out attacks with quick darts off his line or assertive responses to crosses into the danger area. He will certainly be a tough nut for Romelu Lukaku and company to crack.
Chelsea: This week brought the most welcome of news to Thomas Tuchel as N’Golo Kante returned to training at Chelsea after what has been a slow start to the season for the Ballon d’Or contender. Having battled injury issues earlier in the campaign the France international was then sidelined with COVID-19 but he and wing-back Reece James were both deemed ready to join the first team earlier this week.
There are, however, causes for concern arising from the international break. Romelu Lukaku missed Belgium’s UEFA Nations League third-place match against Italy with muscle soreness while Antonio Rudiger battled back issues with the German national team. Both would be key absentees for Tuchel, who will also be waiting to see whether Christian Pulisic has recovered from an ankle issue that has sidelined him for far more than the 10 days that were initially expected.
Prediction
If any team is capable of cooling the intensity of the Brentford Community Stadium it is Chelsea. Assuming they have Lukaku in the side they should claim the three points. PICK: Brentford 0, Chelsea 1
