Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Premier League game at Chelsea, who welcome West London neighbours Brentford to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Rosenior oversaw a 5-1 FA Cup third round win at Charlton in his first game, which was followed by a 3-2 defeat at home to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brentford
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez; Palmer, Pedro, Garnacho.
Chelsea team news vs Brentford
Chelsea were without Cole Palmer, skipper Reece James, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens for the midweek cup defeat at home to Arsenal. The Blues will hope to have Palmer and James ready for selection this weekend, but Delap and Gittens could well remain out, as are Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia.
- Read more: Chelsea vs Brentford predictions, odds and betting tips
Marc Guiu has started both games under Rosenior, but may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Pedro potentially favoured as the forward, flanked by two of Pedro Neto, Estevao, Palmer, and Alejandro Garnacho, who will be hoping to start after he came off the bench to score a second-half brace against Arsenal.
Robert Sanchez has come under fire following his mistakes against the Gunners, but is expected to remain between the sticks.
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Could the Bees sting the Blues?
Chelsea will be desperate to start Rosenior’s Premier League debut with a crucial three points, having won only one of their last nine top-flight games.
Rosenior may, or may not, be aware of the first-game record of recent Chelsea managers, which has seen only one of the last seven claim a win in their opening Premier League game, which was Graham Potter back in 2022.
Saturday’s match against Brentford is a difficult fixture against an in-form opponent who have won three of their last four visits to Stamford Bridge. Keith Andrews is enjoying a superb season at the helm of the Bees, who sit 5th on the back of a six-game unbeaten run, which has seen the club jump above Chelsea.
Chelsea’s leaky defence, which hasn’t kept a clean sheet in eight games, will need to find a way to keep Brentford’s main man, Igor Thiago, quiet. The in-form striker has scored five goals in his last two league games, which has propelled his season tally to 16; only Erland Haaland has accumulated more goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
