Brentford v Chelsea: West London showdown to produce entertainment

Click here for Brentford v Chelsea odds
Friday 18 September, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Progress continues at the GTech

Having agonisingly missed out on European qualification by virtue of goal difference last season, it would have been easy for Brentford to spend the summer licking their wounds and feeling sorry for themselves. However, the Bees have begun this campaign with renewed determination, and have made an unbeaten start to the season.

A 3-0 win over Tottenham made for a superb start, Birmingham and Reading have been dismissed in the Carabao Cup, and there have been draws against Leeds, Sunderland and Bournemouth. Under manager Keith Andrews, Brentford have lost just 13 of their 42 Premier League matches.

Andrews admits this improvement has brought a level of respect, but also added pressure, and European qualification is once again the goal. The West London club hung onto star striker Igor Thiago and pulled off one of the coups of the summer as they recruited all-action midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens.

Mathias Jensen is a fitness doubt with a thigh injury, while defenders Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg are struggling to be fit. Midfielder Antoni Milambo is still out with a serious knee injury.

Chelsea repeatedly undone by defensive lapses

While no-one can doubt the potency of Chelsea's forward line under Xabi Alonso, there are huge questions about the Blues' ability to defend, both individually and collectively. Last weekend's 2-2 draw with Hull City was a case in point, as young defender Jorrel Hato made an horrendous mistake for the Tigers' first goal, and six minutes later more hesitant defending saw the deficit doubled.

Although Chelsea fought back to draw 2-2, they have now leaked a staggering 12 goals in six competitive matches at an average of two per game. After the Hull debacle, Blues' legend John Terry bemoaned his former team's inability to do the defensive basics.

Veteran keeper Emi Martinez looked to be the signing that could end Chelsea's uncertainty in the goalkeeping department, but even the World Cup winner is looking shaky at present. The stats tell you that he's making plenty of impressive saves, but also letting in goals he could reasonably be expected to prevent.

Alonso admits his team has been soft at times, and says they need to learn that any Premier League side can hurt you at any moment in a game. It is worth remembering that it took the Basque coach a while to tighten things up at Bayer Leverkusen - in their first 18 competitive games under him, Die Werkself conceded 29 goals. The following season they produced an unprecedented unbeaten league and cup double.

Moises Caicedo hopes to return from a muscle injury, Pep Chavarria is likely to get the nod at left-back after Jorrel Hato had a nightmare performance against Hull City, and Maxence Lacroix is pushing for a recall in central defence.

Brilliant Brazilian to contribute again

I'm happy to swerve the Match Odds market as I'm expecting an exciting, but closely-fought encounter on Friday night, bu currently the Betfair Sportsbook go 7/42.75 Brentford, 11/82.38 Chelsea, and 14/53.80 about the Draw.

We can put together a treble here on the Sportsbook's Bet Builder which comes to a combined price of 16/54.20.

First of all I'll back Both Teams To Score. A BTTS bet has paid out in five of Chelsea's six competitive matches this season, and the only team that has failed to score against them is lower-league Luton Town. As for Brentford, their last five competitive matches have all seen a BTTS bet land.

Next I'll back the outstanding Joao Pedro to score or assist. The Brazilian - who I tipped as a Top Goalscorer bet in my Premier League Golden Boot preview - has delivered three goals and three assists already in the top flight this term. The 24-year-old is fast becoming one of the most effective forwards in the division, and he has a point to prove after Carlo Ancelotti left him out of the World Cup squad.

Finally I'll back Vitaly Janelt to commit two or more fouls. The German midfielder has been excellent in Brentford's midfield, but he is very much a force of nature. He has committed nine fouls in four Premier League games and has picked up three bookings. In a West London derby under the Friday night lights, I suspect the former Hamburg player won't be able to contain himself.

In-form speedster to shine again

We can get odds of 13/102.30 on Kevin Schade to score or assist, and that looks good to me against a fragile Chelsea. The German international has three league goals already, and last season he posted eight goals and three assists in the top division.

Now read our other Premier League previews here!