The Bees, a model of stability since promotion to the Premier League five years ago, have experienced a summer of change with manager Thomas Frank crossing town to Tottenham Hotspur, and four of their top eight appearance-makers last term also departing.

Dubliner Keith Andrews, who became Brentford's set-play coach in July 2024 after Bernardo Cueva joined Chelsea, has been elevated from within and handed his first head coach role.

The Bees' only top-flight win this season came at home to Aston Villa, and a second loss at Sunderland saw them drop into the bottom six before the international break – their lowest position since May 2024.

In contrast, world champions Chelsea topped the Premier League table most of the weekend, after beating Fulham 2-0 in another all-London affair at Stamford Bridge.

We remain second behind Liverpool, with the top-flight’s joint-best defensive record of one goal conceded.

During that west London derby win over the Cottagers, Tosin Adarabioyo became the first Chelsea player to win nine aerial challenges since Kurt Zouma’s 10 in April 2021.

The Blues’ most recent experience of this west London derby fixture in early April ended 0-0, our third successive draw there since Ben Chilwell’s winner in October 2021.

Chelsea team news

Enzo Maresca confirmed a decision over Cole Palmer's fitness would be made after our final training session before visiting Brentford.

‘Cole took part in a session yesterday (Thursday) for the first time – but not the entire session,' Maresca said in his pre-match press conference.

'Today (Friday) in the afternoon, we have one more session, and we are going to try with him and see if he is ok. Otherwise, he will be out tomorrow again.'

Maresca confirmed that Liam Delap will be sidelined for around 10-to-12 weeks, while also updating on the fitness of Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia.

'They are both close but not available for Brentford,' the Blues head coach said.

Brentford vs Chelsea - The history

No west London derby has a longer top-flight history than Chelsea against Brentford. Our first meeting with the Bees was at Stamford Bridge on 23 November; no two sides from west London had previously faced off in the top flight.

The Blues emerged from a scrappy contest as 2-1 winners thanks to two quick-fire goals – and the full story of that game can be read here.

Brentford avenged that defeat later in the season, securing a 2-1 victory of their own at Griffin Park, and every league meeting between the two sides since has come in the top tier.

Our away record against the Bees is a strong one; we are unbeaten in nine matches (four wins, four draws), since our last defeat there in October 1938.

The Blues’ biggest league win at Brentford remains 2-0, a victory secured on 15 March 1947 in Division One.

For our most recent success at the Gtech, you have to look back to October 2021, our debut at their current stadium. Chilwell’s strike on the stroke of half-time meant Chelsea became the first London team ever to win seven away league derbies in succession.

Know this...

This is only the sixth time a Chelsea fixture will kick off at 8pm on a Saturday. Three of the previous five occasions have ended in a Blues victory, including one of the greatest nights in our history.

Second-placed Chelsea’s expected goals tally of 6.7 this season is second only to the 6.8 recorded by Manchester United.

The Blues have made our best start to a campaign since 2021, when Thomas Tuchel’s team also accrued seven points and were unbeaten after three games.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side won three of our four Premier League matches immediately following international breaks last season.

The Bees lost 26 points from winning positions last season - fifth-highest among Premier League clubs - and have already squandered three this term.

Premier League west London derbies