Chelsea vs Brentford predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable lineups | OneFootball

Chelsea bid to extend their winning sequence to seven matches in all competitions when they host Brentford in a London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening at 7pm (UK time).

The Premier League game is not being shown live on TV in the UK.

Chelsea vs Brentford predicted XIs

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Caicedo, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Chelsea vs Brentford team news

Chelsea fielded an almost entirely changed team for their Conference League fixture against Astana on Thursday and are set to revert to a line-up similar to their last Premier League match for Sunday’s game.

Pedro Neto was the only player to start against both Tottenham and Astana and he is suspended for the Brentford match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Spurs.

Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman are all unavailable due to hamstring injuries but Romeo Lavia should be available after being substituted at half-time at Tottenham as a precaution.

Brentford are still missing long-term absentees Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva and Aaron Hickey due to injuries, but midfielder Vitaly Janelt should be back in the side after missing the home victory over Newcastle last week while Kristoffer Ajer is also available.

Midfielder Mathias Jensen (hamstring) has missed the Bees’ last two games and could be out for another couple of weeks, while Gustavo Nunes (back) has had a setback and remains sidelined.

Maresca thrilled with Palmer’s progress

Enzo Maresca knew he would be working with some elite talent when he made the decision to leave Leicester to take over at Chelsea in the summer, but he must have been particularly delighted to renew links with Blues star Cole Palmer.

Maresca worked with Palmer at Manchester City, when Palmer was in the team that won Premier League 2 in 2021, and now the forward has blossomed into a top-notch performer.

Palmer took his tally for the season to 11 goals and six assists with his double from the penalty spot in last Sunday’s 4-3 win at Tottenham, including an audacious Panenka conversion.

Maresca said he is loving working with the player again and is confident he can reach even greater heights.

‘I feel very proud and privileged to work with Cole. I feel lucky to work with all of them,” said the Chelsea coach.

The former Leicester manager said he would not want to change the maverick streak his star man has demonstrated.

“Many top players have that way. They look like they almost don’t care but it’s just their way and being in that way gives them more freedom, they can relax, and you can see Cole is the same way. Cole was this way five years ago and he’s still the same,” added Maresca.

“He behaves exactly as he needs, with a focus on football and the important things. The most important thing is he loves football. He is always one of the first out for the session, starts to play with the ball and you can see in that moment who really loves football and those who just play football.”