Chelsea play hosts to Brentford at Stamford Bridge this Saturday afternoon for a West London derby with the home side seeking a seventh win on the trot in all competitions.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side has been on the receiving end of the off the field crisis going on of late with the owner Roman Abromovich and more recently the club was put under sanctions by the UK government in the aftermath of the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
Ahead of his side’s Champions League quarter-final showdown with the Spanish giants Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, Tuchel is expected to keep his focus on the upcoming outing on home turf against the league’s new boys Brentford with Chelsea pushing to cement their top four berth.
Following back-to-back wins against relegation candidates Norwich City and Burnley, Thomas Frank’s Brentford were handed a defeat by Leicester City in the King Power Stadium showdown with goals from Timothy Castagne and James Maddison ensuring the three points for the home side.
The 15th-placed Brentford still sit comfortably eight points adrift of the drop zone in the league table but heading into the business end of the campaign, the Bees would be hoping to get things back in order despite a stern challenge awaiting them on the trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Chelsea, meanwhile, cruised to a convincing 2-0 victory over Championship outfit Boro in the FA Cup last time around with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech booking a semi final spot in the cup competition for the embattled Blues.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Coming soon! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/xfcdOlM5ZV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 30, 2022
Date – Saturday 2 April 2022
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Callum Hudson-Odoi is not in the running to make the squad for the forthcoming game with an injury but defensive regulars Andreas Christensen and Reece James should both be deemed fit to secure berths on the team sheet.
Wing-back Ben Chilwell remains a long-term absentee on the injury front for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea with little hope at the Bridge for the England international to return in time for the close of the season.
Arriving late from international duty with the American national team, Christian Pulisic is unlikely to be named in the starting XI for Chelsea which opens the door for either Timo Werner or Romelu Lukaku to earn a recall.
KEY BATTLE
Kai Havertz vs Ivon Toney
Havertz has been a standout performer in the final third of the pitch for Chelsea in recent times and the German was at his brillait best in the international break as he netted in the 2-0 win over Isreal.
Tuchel and Co. would depend upon Havertz to deliver come Saturday against Brentford who have striker Ivon Toney as their go-to man in front of the goal.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea are billed the favourites to claim the win from Saturday’s west London derby against Brentford with the hosts heading into the contest on the back of a fine run of form.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
