Game Week 22 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Brentford

Chelsea vs Brentford preview: Rosenior’s league home debut at Stamford Bridge; Bees eye upset, Thiago thriving, Palmer/James fitness key; Chelsea win.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kevin Schade fight for the ball in Brentford's 2-2 draw against Chelsea at the G-Tech Community Stadium. They meet again on Saturday at Stamford Bridge Stadium. (Photo credit: Chelsea FC)

 Chelsea vs Brentford

Stamford Bridge Stadium

4:00pm

This is another huge fixture for so many reasons. Brentford kicks this one off at Stamford Bridge, sitting pretty above the Blues. It’s strange to see, but this is football.

It is Liam Rosenior’s home debut in the league; he did start his Stamford Bridge career in midweek in the League Cup semifinal first leg defeat to Arsenal, but, in the context of the Premier League, his first fixture is against the Bees, who have defied all odds this season and are in a great position.

What is working for Brentford this season? It is the same thing that is working against the Blues: a mix of experience with youthful vigour. The acquisition of Jordan Henderson and the retention of players like Kristopher Ajer and Nathan Collins have added grit and calm to the Bees, unlike Chelsea.

The new direction of signing players under the age of 23 is good for the future; however, when the chips are down and you need someone to steady the ship on the pitch or in the dressing room, there’s no one in the Chelsea dressing room with the personality. That has to change.

Chelsea has only one win in their last five games across all competitions. They have drawn games you expect them to win and have flattered to deceive in too many fixtures for comfort. The board expects Rosenior to lead them to Champions League places; he can’t afford to drop points here.

Brentford, on their own part, have done enough to never be mentioned in the relegation scraps this season. They currently sit in fifth position, and while they don’t have the quality to maintain the position, a top ten finish is realistic, and they will go for it.

Igor Thiago is proving to be a sensational player. Second on the top scorer’s chart, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The Brazilian will be a thorn in Chelsea’s flesh all afternoon; Rosenior must prepare for the long balls that put the striker in great positions.

Cole Palmer and Reece James will both face late fitness tests, but Rosenior is confident both can feature against Brentford. With Liam Delap injured, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu are expected to lead the line, but Moises Caicedo is back and available for selection.

Brentford will assess Jordan Henderson following his ankle problems last time out. Frank Onyeka is still with the Super Eagles, and Fabio Carvalho won’t feature again this season. Chelsea needs the win more, but Brentford will make them earn it the same way they made life difficult for Chelsea in the reverse fixture, which ended 2-2.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.