Brentford vs. Chelsea Prediction: Another London Derby for Blues

• Chelsea have amassed seven points from the first nine available in the Premier League

• Brentford are still finding their feet under Keith Andrews, their new manager

• Chelsea should have too much quality for Brentford in the late game on Saturday

Brentford vs. Chelsea Odds

The odds for Brentford vs. Chelsea can be found in the odds table below, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Sign up for a FanDuel account and claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

My -130 Pick for Brentford vs. Chelsea

Go for a Chelsea victory when they face neighbours Brentford. Enzo Maresca’s men have started the season well, and they should come out on top in this one.

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Chelsea Aim to Show They Are Ready to Challenge for Title

Chelsea had their fair share of ups and downs last season, but they finished well with a top-four finish and success in the Conference League. The Blues followed that up by winning the inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup in the summer, beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final in the USA. Now they have made a bright start to the current campaign.

Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace on the opening weekend, but the Eagles are stubborn opponents so that was hardly a terrible result. They then thrashed West Ham United 5-1 on matchday two, before beating Fulham 2-0 in their final game before the September international break.

Chelsea rode their luck at times during that match. Fulham had a goal harshly disallowed. Had the visitors to Stamford Bridge gone 1-0 up, it would have been a different match entirely. As it was, Chelsea slowly grew into the game and by the end it was they who created the better chances. Another clean sheet at home will have pleased Maresca too.

Before a ball had been kicked this term, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City were widely seen as the three likeliest Premier League title contenders, with Chelsea down as many people’s dark horses. Maresca will not mind if his team are relative underdogs, but we will learn more over the next few weeks whether Chelsea really are ready to challenge at the top of the league again.

Their Club World Cup exertions could come back to bite them. While other teams were resting in June and July, Chelsea were playing a competitive tournament thousands of miles away. Fatigue may ultimately catch up with them, but right now Chelsea are in a good place. A victory over Brentford on Saturday would make things even better.

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Underdogs Brentford Must Show Grit and Resolve in Derby

Survival is the main aim for Brentford this season. The Bees finished 10th last time out and were involved in the European conversation until late on. But their ambitions are much more modest after a difficult summer which saw them lose their influential manager Thomas Frank, as well as their erstwhile best player Bryan Mbeumo.

Brentford have punched above their weight for years now, but there is concern among the fan base that a relegation dogfight is a distinct possibility this time around. The west Londoners, now led by Keith Andrews, have lost two of their first three Premier League games of the campaign, going down to Nottingham Forest (1-3) and Sunderland (1-2).

In fairness to Brentford, they did beat Aston Villa 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium, while the EFL Cup second round brought a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth. Brentford remain one of the most well-run clubs in English soccer under the ownership of Matthew Benham, whose analytical approach has paid dividends during his time at the helm.

Andrews was a typically left-field pick as Frank’s successor. The Irishman has never managed before; prior to this season, he was Brentford’s set-piece coach. But it is worth remembering that Frank was also part of the backroom staff before he became the club’s manager. Brentford are not about to stop doing things their way.

If they are to keep their heads above water this term, Brentford will need to be resolute and dogged at home in particular. They certainly were against Aston Villa, when a contain-and-counter approach earned them a hard-fought victory. Andrews will hope for a similar showing this weekend, although it is no surprise that Chelsea are clear favorites.

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Chelsea Should Get the Job Done After International Break

Despite being a much smaller club historically, Brentford have a solid record against Chelsea in the last few years. The Blues have won just one of their last seven meetings with their fellow west Londoners, and the last three games between the pair at the Gtech have been ties. Unfortunately for Brentford, that run will probably come to an end this weekend.

It is by no means inevitable that the Bees will be involved in the relegation battle this year, but it is hard to imagine them matching last season’s top-half finish. It could be particularly tough for the Bees over the next few weeks, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool among their upcoming opponents after this tricky test against Chelsea.

Maresca’s men are not giving much away right now. Their defensive unit has been held up as a weak point, but structurally Chelsea are sound. They have conceded just one goal in three matches so far this season. And with the caveat that we are only three games in, Chelsea sit top of the expected goals table.

With their direct, aggressive style of play, Brentford will aim to make life difficult for their opponents in Saturday’s late kick-off. Chelsea are unlikely to win this one with their feet up, but provided they are willing and able to match Brentford’s fight and physicality, their superior quality should win out. Go for a Chelsea victory here.

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How to Watch Brentford vs. Chelsea

• Teams: Brentford vs. Chelsea

• Location: Gtech Community Stadium, London, England.

• Date and Time: Saturday, 13th September, 3.00 PM ET

• How to Watch: USA Network