SQUAD NEWS
Reece James will start the game on the bench once more, according to Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but Nicolas Jackson may make a comeback to the starting lineup.
Trevoh Chalobah, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Wesley Fofana are still not available.
After serving a one-game suspension, Aaron Hickey rejoins Brentford’s starting lineup.
Josha Dasilva, Mikkel Damsgaard, Ivan Toney, Keane Lewis-Potter, Shandon Baptiste, Rico Henry, and Kevin Schade are not available.
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At Stamford Bridge, Brentford is attempting to make it three Premier League victories in a row; no side in competition history has ever won all three of its opening games away from Chelsea.
The Bees have won all three of their previous encounters (W2, D1), scoring six goals overall and giving up just one.
With Chelsea
The Blues’ lone victory in their previous 12 home league games (D6, L5) came against Luton in August, winning 3-0.
Out of the last 12 Premier League London derbies, they have only won twice (D4, L6).
Chelsea has scored at least twice in three consecutive top-flight games for the first time in a year.
They have scored eight goals and gained seven points in just three league games, which is more than they have in their previous nine games put together (six points and seven goals).
For the first time since 1994, they might lose 15 league games in a calendar year.
Chelsea’s 1,200th Premier League game will be this one.
Cole Palmer might follow in Willian’s footsteps in July 2020 and become the second Chelsea player to score a penalty in three straight Premier League games.
Brentford
Last Saturday, the Bees defeated Burnley 3-0 to snap a six-game Premier League losing streak (D3, L3).
This season, they have won both of their league games—3-0 on the road against Fulham in August and at home last weekend—in west London.
This season, they have won both of their league games—3-0 on the road against Fulham in August and at home last weekend—in west London.
For the longest run in club history, Brentford has gone undefeated in their previous 12 league London derbies (W6, D6).
Only West Ham has scored first in as many Premier League games as Thomas Frank’s club has in 2023–24.
However, they have lost 11 Premier League points this season from winning positions—a record they share with Bournemouth.
In his previous 12 Premier League appearances, Bryan Mbeumo has contributed to 11 goals, scoring eight and providing three assists.
