
Date: Wednesday 26th April, 2023
Time: 7:45 pm
Stadium Stamford Bridge
Referee Andrew Madley (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea will be without Kalidou Koulibaly and Armando Broja due to respective hamstring and knee injuries, although the former could be in a position to return to first-team action at the beginning of next month.
Lampard is able to welcome back Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana after the quintet were either suspended or ineligible to face Real Madrid; both Chilwell and Badiashile are seemingly the most likely to be recalled as Lampard ponders switching to a four-man backline or sticking with a 3-5-2 setup.
Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic could continue in centre-midfield, but N'Golo Kante may be given a rest after playing the full 90 minutes against Los Blancos, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Denis Zakaria waiting in the wings if needed.
Kai Havertz began as a lone forward against Real Madrid, but the German could receive support in attack on Wednesday, with Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech all pushing to start after beginning as substitutes last time out.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Kepa; James, W. Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic; Mudryk, Havertz, Felix
Brentford
As for Brentford, Pontus Jansson (hamstring), Kristoffer Ajer (calf) and Keane Lewis-Potter (knee) are all sidelined due to injury, while Christian Norgaard is doubtful with a knock.
Frank tends to switch to a three-at-the-back system when facing the so-called bigger clubs in the division, but the absences of both Jansson and Ajer could see the Bees boss stick with a back four of Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee and Rico Henry on Wednesday.
Should Norgaard fail a late fitness test, Josh Dasilva could start in centre-midfield alongside Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt – the latter of whom scored a brace at Stamford Bridge last season – while Yoane Wissa and Mikkel Damsgaard will push Kevin Schade for a place up front alongside Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Hickey, Mee, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Toney, Damsgaard
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Brentford
Posted: at | |