When do Brentford play Chelsea?

The west London derby is scheduled for Friday at 8pm BST, with Brentford at home.

When did Chelsea last beat Brentford?

Chelsea's most recent win in the fixture came in October 2021, when Ben Chilwell scored in a 1-0 victory. Every meeting between the clubs since then has ended in a draw.

Why could Danny Welbeck start for Chelsea?

João Pedro has three goals and three assists for Chelsea, but a fitness doubt around him could open the door to Danny Welbeck making his first league start.

What form is Kevin Schade in for Brentford?

Schade scored twice in Brentford's most recent match, at Bournemouth, and both finishes were well taken. He will test a Chelsea defence still absorbing Xabi Alonso's methods.

Football

Chelsea seek first win over Brentford since October 2021

Brentford have drawn every meeting between the clubs since that 1-0 defeat, and Kevin Schade arrives with two goals from his most recent outing.

By Sportsback1h ago

philosophyfootball · CC BY 2.0

Chelsea travel to Brentford for Friday's west London derby at 8pm BST, still seeking a first win in the fixture since October 2021. Ben Chilwell scored the only goal that day, and every meeting between the two clubs since has ended in a draw.

Chelsea's long wait in this derby

The run of draws sits alongside a wider divergence between the clubs. Brentford have relied on continuity and defensive solidity, while Chelsea have spent the same years working through another reboot of squad and system.

The draw has become the default result in this fixture, and that suits the more settled of the two clubs more than the one still searching for a shape. For Chelsea the frustration is not the opponent's quality so much as the pattern: a single moment decided the 2021 meeting, and nothing since has separated them. For Brentford, a point preserves a useful record and keeps a wealthier neighbour at arm's length.

Brentford v Chelsea — Friday, 8pm BST
Tottenham v Aston Villa — Saturday, 3pm BST

Kevin Schade and Chelsea's defensive shape

Brentford's Kevin Schade scored twice at Bournemouth in his most recent outing, both finishes well taken. He goes into Friday's game against a Chelsea defence that has not yet attuned itself to Xabi Alonso's configurations.

Alonso's attack has been the more successful part of the team, which puts the emphasis on how quickly the back line takes to his instructions. Containing Schade is the immediate test, and it is the part of the night most likely to determine how much of the game the visitors control.

João Pedro's fitness and Danny Welbeck

João Pedro has three goals and three assists for Chelsea, but doubts about his fitness could open the way for Danny Welbeck to make his first league start. Neither the extent of the concern nor João Pedro's availability has been disclosed. A late switch of centre-forward is not the preparation Alonso would want for a game that recent years have decided by fine margins.

What is not yet known

Chelsea have not commented on João Pedro's fitness, and no starting line-up has been made public. Brentford have confirmed no team news either. Tottenham host Aston Villa on Saturday at 3pm BST, and neither club has set out its selection for that match.

Friday will not settle whether Chelsea's rebuild is working. It will show whether they can finally take three points from a fixture that has resisted them for the whole of Brentford's Premier League stay, against a side whose most dangerous attacker arrives in form.

Frequently asked questions

When do Brentford play Chelsea?: The west London derby is scheduled for Friday at 8pm BST, with Brentford at home.
When did Chelsea last beat Brentford?: Chelsea's most recent win in the fixture came in October 2021, when Ben Chilwell scored in a 1-0 victory. Every meeting between the clubs since then has ended in a draw.
Why could Danny Welbeck start for Chelsea?: João Pedro has three goals and three assists for Chelsea, but a fitness doubt around him could open the door to Danny Welbeck making his first league start.
What form is Kevin Schade in for Brentford?: Schade scored twice in Brentford's most recent match, at Bournemouth, and both finishes were well taken. He will test a Chelsea defence still absorbing Xabi Alonso's methods.