Is this the Biggest Mismatch in Premier League History?

Brentford vs Chelsea

As far as Premier League matches go, this is as big a mismatch as they come as far as I am concerned.

For this is a club which wasn’t even in the top flight for 74 years (until just over a year ago) against a club which had one of the world’s richest owners for nearly two decades (until a few months ago).

Perhaps they still do judging by the spending new American owner Todd Boehly has embarked on since buying the club from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Meanwhile, Brentford have managed to keep going on a budget the mere fraction of most of their opponents and still create Premier League highlights along the way.

They even now have an England man their ranks in Ivan Toney.

Are they really capable, though, of defying the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds and upsetting the west Londoners?

Talking Points

Well, they certainly have a man in form in Toney whose double saw off Brighton last Friday night.

So do Chelsea whose own England man, Mason Mount, netted a brace as they defeated Aston Villa by the same scoreline on Sunday afternoon.

The Brentford Community Stadium has provided plenty of home comforts so far this term for the Bees, who have taken 10 points from 15 on offer and are averaging more than two goals per game in front of their own fans – no surprise given the form Toney finds himself in.

A slice of club history is also on the line as they aim to win a midweek Premier League match for the first time (they have been defeated in five of their six contests on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during their season and a bit to date).

They won’t be at full strength with duo Thomas Strakosha and Aaron Hickey out with ankle injuries, and Christian Norgaard (achilles) also a major doubt.

Skipper Pontus Jansson (hamstring) will be again missed so don’t be surprised if astute boss Thomas Frank selects the same starting XI from their win over Brighton, although Yoane Wissa’s place out wide could come under threat from Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter.

Chelsea have a much bigger squad, of course, and while also missing a few of their own, new boss Graham Potter appears to be moulding his own winning team and style in recent weeks.

Influential midfielder N’Golo Kante (hamstring) is still out along with centre back Wesley Fofana (knee) and Reece James (knee) – the latter now a serious doubt for England’s World Cup squad and facing an estimated eight weeks on the sidelines after sustaining an injury against AC Milan last week.

Veteran centre-back Thiago Silva will also be checked after complaining of a potential thigh problem following the win over Villa.

There’s no shortage of options at Potter’s disposal with Hakim Ziyech hoping to return following illness and captain Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly and Jorginho all in contention to return.

There’s been plenty of changes at Chelsea since their opening weekend win at Everton but, for the first time, they seem to be settling.

They should be too strong for the spirited Bees.

History

This fixture last season saw a narrow 1-0 win for Chelsea, courtesy of a Ben Chilwell goal.

They also won at the Brentford Community Stadium two months later in a 2-0 win, secured by a late own goal and Jorginho penalty, in the fifth round of the League Cup.

The return fixture at Stamford Bridge in April, however, was truly one of the results of the 2021-22 season.

Inspired by Christian Eriksen, Brentford ran out 4-1 winners in an amazing turnaround.

After Antonio Rudiger had opened the scoring for the home side, they netted three times in 10 minutes with Vitaly Janelt scoring either side of Eriksen before Wissa completed a result which stunned football and delighted fans the world over after Eriksen’s health scare less than a year earlier.

Last season’s meetings were the first in the league since a 1947 clash in the former Division One.

The very first encounter was in November 1935 at Stamford Bridge, a match Chelsea won 2-1 with Alexander Cheyne and Dick Spence their marksmen.

Overall, Brentford have won five of their clashes with a further two draws and 10 defeats.

Betting Tip

It’s hard to bet against Chelsea who are priced 1X2 @ 1.73, while the hosts are available @ 4.60.

The Draw is on offer @ 3.65.

A repeat of last season’s 1-0 Chelsea win will pay out @ 6.40 with Correct Score, whereas Brentford +0.50 @ 2.25 and Chelsea -1.00 @ 2.29 are among the Asian Handicap options. I do think the extra quality and depth of squad will win the day for Chelsea and my ** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 4.20.

 

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