First Half
KICK OFF! We're up and running at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
A typically big roar saved for Cole Palmer's name as the teams are read out.
A packed-out Stamford Bridge is ready for kick-off.
Teams on their way!
Five minutes to kick-off in this unusually late Sunday kick-off at Stamford Bridge, after Chelsea's long trip to Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Here's your final reminder of the teams:
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Acheampong, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Rak-Sakyi, George, Nkunku, Guiu.
Brentford: Flekken, Roerslev, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Mee, Ajer, Meghoma, Konak, Janelt, Trevitt, Carvalho, Schade.
'Time to end bizarre Chelsea-Brentford record?'
Sky Sports' Ron Walker at Stamford Bridge:
"This fixture is nearly unmatched in Premier League terms - only Watford and Bournemouth have played out more games where the home team has never won.
"A Blues victory would end a run of six games in a row where the away side has taken at least a point.
"Brentford have a decent record against the traditional 'Big Six' but even so, it's remarkable that since beating Brentford in the first meeting at the Gtech in October 2021, Chelsea haven't won any of the five top-flight league meetings between these two."
WATCH: Man Utd's 90th-minute winner to seal Manchester derby
Big scenes at the Etihad in the final minutes - with Man utd scoring in the 88th and 90th minutes to secure victory.
Have a look at Amad Diallo's last-minute winner here. We'll have some of those at Stamford Bridge too thanks.
'Huge chance for Chelsea after City slip'
Sky Sports' Ron Walker at Stamford Bridge:
"What an opportunity this is for Chelsea now. A win here and they'll be seven clear of Man City, four of Arsenal and two off Liverpool, who do have that game in hand.
"The fans are slowly filing into Stamford Bridge after watching the end of the Manchester derby in the concourses or nearby pubs, with a few extra springs in their step after another title rival takes a hit.
"Nottm Forest are the only members of the top six who haven't dropped points so far this weekend!"
Frank explains Thiago absence
Speaking on the club's official channels, Thomas Frank has explained the reason behind Igor Thiago's absence at Stamford Bridge...
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What a turnaround at the Etihad!
Man Utd have scored two goals in as many minutes and now lead 2-1 at Man City - as it stands, all three of Chelsea's closest title rivals are dropping points in the same weekend.
Over to you, Enzo Maresca... Catch the closing minutes from Manchester below.
Live Commentary - Man City vs Man Utd | 15.12.2024
Sky Sports
The curious case of Brentford's form
A home record top-four sides would die for, a home banker on the road.
Brentford have some of the most contrasting form in Premier League history depending on whether they're at the Gtech or not.
Of their 23 points this season, only one has been collected on the road. Bonkers stuff.
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JONES KNOWS: Brentford to shock Chelsea - again
Why aren't Chelsea serious title contenders? It's a question I've been pondering as they've shortened dramatically into 6/1 with Sky Bet for the Premier League crown. The inconsistency factor is high on that reasoning.
Teams that win titles win matches when not playing well. I'm not sure this young Chelsea side are there yet - there are going to be bumps in the road, especially with such an unreliable goalkeeper in Robert Sanchez between the sticks. That bump could be on the horizon here.
Credit to them they've managed to fend off a funny result for most of the season but one might be due, which may help dampen the expectations in the long run.
Brentford haven't lost to Chelsea in five matches, winning the last three at Stamford Bridge. Yes, Thomas Frank's football isn't quite as savage on the road but they will hold no fear and Chelsea look a risky prospect at 1/3 with Sky Bet for the win, especially at an odd kick-off time.
Brentford double chance at 9/4 it is then.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
WATCH: Saka vs Palmer vs Salah - who would you pick?
Three left-footed right wingers.
Okay, Cole Palmer has played nominally as a No 10 this season, but he's still popped up on the right nearly as much as Mo Salah and Bukayo Saka.
So whose wand of a foot would you choose? Have a look at the stats that matter...
No Thiago as Bees change two
Mads Roerslev and Mikkel Damsgaard return for Brentford, with Igor Thiago absent from the squad altogether following his first start in last weekend's win over Newcastle.
Fabio Carvalho is the other name to drop out, with the ex-Liverpool man settling for a place on the bench.
LAST TIME OUT: BRENTFORD 4-2 NEWCASTLE
There was plenty of drama at the Gtech last time out too, as Brentford put Newcastle to the sword with a four-star haul to keep up their sensational home record this season.
Gusto, Madueke return for attacking Chelsea
Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke return to the Chelsea line-up in an attacking line-up from Enzo Maresca for the visit of Brentford.
Moises Caicedo moves into midfield with Romeo Lavia missing out after his half-time withdrawal at Tottenham last weekend, while Tosin Adarabioyo partners Levi Colwill at the back with Benoit Badiashile also absent from the squad..
Chelsea team news
Team to play Brentford: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Acheampong, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Rak-Sakyi, George, Nkunku, Guiu.
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Brentford team news
Team to play Chelsea: Flekken, Roerslev, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Mee, Ajer, Meghoma, Konak, Janelt, Trevitt, Carvalho, Schade.
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Maresca: Palmer could be Premier League's best
There's some competition to be top of the tree for the Premier League's best player.
But given his stellar run of consistency since moving to Stamford Bridge, could it be Cole Palmer?
Enzo Maresca thinks so. High praise, if not entirely controversial, from the Chelsea boss.
WATCH: A Thomas Frank rouser!
Brentford have given us a rare insight into the club dressing room this season by mic'ing up head coach Thomas Frank in a couple of post-match team talks - and this one against Newcastle is particularly good.
Makes you want to run through walls for him, no?
LAST TIME OUT: TOTTENHAM 3-4 CHELSEA
Chelsea left Tottenham singing the blues last weekend as they came back from falling 2-0 down after 11 minutes to win 4-3 in a typically chaotic game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Good afternoon!
Welcome to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea can smell something in the air over the scent of pine trees and mulled wine.
Is it a title charge? Well, with the opportunity to move two points off the top this afternoon, and four ahead of third place, it might just be.
It's already been a superb weekend for Enzo Maresca's men, who have watched Liverpool and Arsenal both drop points in what looked like being routine home wins.
Speaking of routine home wins - Brentford the team with the worst away record in the Premier League visit Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
The one sting in the tail from the Blues' west London neighbours? They've won all three of their league games here since they were promoted to the Premier League in 2021.