Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday looking to bounce back from a 2-2 draw with Hull City, in the final Premier League fixture before the international break.
Xabi Alonso’s side sit sixth on seven points and have conceded more goals than any side in the division bar one, despite being its second-highest scorers. Alonso described Brentford as a side that has “developed their project and the game very well,” adding: “They are very complete in many aspects, with the ball, without the ball.”
Chelsea team news
Joao Pedro’s status is unclear heading into Friday. Alonso told reporters on Thursday: “In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session today so no one is ruled out for us for Friday, so I prefer to be cautious.” He called Pedro’s involvement a “possibility,” despite the forward’s withdrawal from the Brazil squad for the international break. Moises Caicedo (calf) is “getting closer,” according to Alonso, while final decisions on Reece James, Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra were due on Friday, with James considered the most likely of that group to be involved.
Should Pedro be unavailable, Danny Welbeck is expected to lead the line, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers operating as the two forwards in support. Maxence Lacroix is expected to return to a back three alongside Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill.
Chelsea predicted lineup
Chelsea possible starting XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Lavia, James, Chavarria; Palmer, J. Pedro, Rogers
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match kicks off at 20:00 on Friday, 18 September 2026.
How to watch Brentford vs Chelsea?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
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