MY ACCOUNT
– Chelsea have not won any of their last seven games, scoring just once in their last six
– Brentford’s European hopes have been dented by too many draws
– Recommended bet: Draw
Frank Lampard is still searching for his first win since returning as caretaker Chelsea boss and he may have to wait even longer with Brentford well capable of earning a draw at Stamford Bridge.
Brentford’s push for Europe has hit the buffers in recent weeks and while supporters can be hugely proud of an excellent campaign they will be frustrated if they now finish outside the European places.
Near-neighbours Chelsea look even more certain to miss out on a top-seven finish and there can be only bafflement at how a club can spend £600m in transfers yet find that all they have to fight at this stage is bragging rights over their local rivals.
A shambolic season could yet end on a high note, with the possible appointment of Mauricio Pochettino a potential boost to Chelsea supporters.
However, with no silverware to play for and the European places realistically out of reach, Lampard must simply try to drag the Blues through to the end of a dismal 2022-23 while avoiding any further damage to morale.
Team news
Chelsea striker Armando Broja is out for the season with an ACL rupture and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is not yet fit following a hamstring strain.
Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard had to come off at half-time with a knock last weekend and is a doubt, while centre-back Kristoffer Ajer is a week or two off recovering from a calf injury.
Centre-back Pontus Jansson and attacker Keane Lewis-Potter are both expected to miss the rest of 2022-23 with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
The stats
Chelsea have not won any of their last seven matches, losing all four under Lampard, and have scored just once in their last six outings.
Two defeats to nil came in tough Champions League clashes with Real Madrid but the Blues have also lost away at struggling Wolves and at home to Brighton and Aston Villa in that run.
The only points picked up since March 11 came in home draws against out-of-form Liverpool and relegation-threatened Everton.
Brentford are also winless in their last six games but two of just three defeats in that run were more excusable — Thomas Frank’s men lost 1-0 at Old Trafford and were unfortunate to lose 2-1 against Newcastle given they doubled the Magpies’ expected goals tally of 1.3.
Brentford have lost only four of their last 20 league matches with draws being the major damage to their European hopes.
Picking up draws against Aston Villa, Brighton and Leicester in their last six games has seen them fall off the top-seven pace and no team can match their tally of 14 Premier League draws from 32 matches.
Prediction
A top-half finish and bragging rights over local rivals Brentford and Fulham is all Chelsea have left to play for and that sort-of low-level ambition is not the sort of target to inspire a disillusioned squad more used to chasing major honours.
A potentially flat Stamford Bridge atmosphere could add to a lethargic, end-of-season encounter and the lack of an elite striker at Chelsea points towards there being a shortage of goals again.
Visitors Brentford have far more unity and focus but their failure to turn good performances into all three points on multiple occasions this season suggests they may again have to settle for a share of the spoils.
Back the draw, available at 14/5 with LiveScore Bet.
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