Chelsea tackle Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, with Frank Lampard nonetheless trying to find his first win since taking up as interim supervisor following the sacking of Graham Potter.
The Blues look to be edging nearer to the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino however may properly be caught with Lampard till the tip of the season, and he dangers tarnishing his legacy with the west London outfit until he can drastically flip issues round.
Brentford too are enduring one thing of a blip within the Premier League however nonetheless possess plenty of high quality, and Thomas Frank’s aspect are definitely prone to trigger issues at Stamford Bridge this night when contemplating the type of attacking gamers reminiscent of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.
How may Chelsea line up in opposition to Brentford?
We predict six modifications from the aspect that began final trip within the 2-0 defeat in opposition to Actual Madrid.
(5-2-3): Kepa; Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Kante, Fernandez; Sterling, Madueke, Felix.
Kepa Arrizabalaga definitely hasn’t been guilty for the current poor type and the Spanish shot-stopper appears to be like prone to proceed in between the sticks this night.
There’s one change at centre-back as Benoit Badiashile, who was surprisingly omitted from Chelsea’s Champions League squad, returns rather than Trevoh Chalobah, with Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana beginning alongside him within the strong again three.
Ben Chilwell served his suspension within the Champions League and is free to return to the aspect at left wing-back, which ought to see Marc Cucurella drop out, whereas Reece James’ newest damage implies that Ruben Loftus-Cheek may deputise on the right-hand aspect.
N’Golo Kante was responsible of lacking quite a few possibilities within the 2-0 defeat to Madrid, so he’s moved again right into a extra pure central midfield place alongside Enzo Fernandez, with Mateo Kovacic dropping to the bench.
That enables Lampard to make vital modifications to his entrance three, as Raheem Sterling get the nod to begin on the left wing forward of Conor Gallagher, within the hope that the previous Manchester Metropolis man can lastly begin to justify his summer time price ticket.
In the meantime, Noni Madueke is handed a uncommon begin on the proper, as his former coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst dubbed him a “mentality monster,” which is strictly what’s required if Chelsea are to return to successful methods tonight.
Lastly, Joao Felix replaces the injured Kai Havertz up entrance, with the Portuguese striker operating out of time to impress if he desires to safe a everlasting transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer time.
