Having clawed the game back to 2-2 at Griffin Park, in the original tie, Chelsea will be hoping to ease past their West London neighbours, in the replay, this Sunday lunchtime. However, with Brentford bringing their largest away following in many a year, it threatens to be an atmospheric Stamford Bridge. Will we be facing Middlesbrough (a) in round 5 or will there be a cup shock?
Vital Quotes:
The un-ease felt by many Chelsea supporters, at the appointment of Rafa Benitez, could be used by our visitors to their advantage. Clayton Donaldson, a striker hoping to inflict a giant-killing on us, has commented ahead of the tie,
“Any club that has fans against the manager is not a good recipe for success. The fans are a bit irritated with how the club is being run.”
“With the owner and the executives there, you would have thought they would have considered that when choosing the manager.”
“It could get nasty if we win.”
“And I think we have a better chance of beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge because the onus is on them to bring the game to us.”
“But with all the hostility, we feel as though we can disrupt Chelsea`s play.”
Let`s hope not!
Chelsea Team News:
Rafa Benitez, so we are informed, is set to shuffle his starting eleven following the trek to Prague, in midweek, for the Europa League clash with Sparta. Likely to come in are John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Demba Ba and David Luiz, all of whom were not starters in midweek.
Player to watch: Demba Ba
Illegible on Thursday evening and not in the starting eleven last weekend, we`d imagine Demba is raring to get some action, which should suit us fine.
Brentford Team News:
Brentford, managed by the former German who played for Manchester City, Uwe Rosler, arrive in SW6 with no fresh injury concerns. However, Rosler will have to make do without his long term injured duo of Farid El-Alagui and Kevin O`Connor. The former has a knee injury and the latter and ankle problem.
Player to watch: Marcello Trotta
On loan from our West London neighbours, Trotta has started to score with regularly netting four in the last five, as well as scoring in the original encounter at Griffin Park.
Match Facts & Stats
Competitive games between Chelsea and Brentford are scarce; this is only the second time we`ve been drawn together in the FA Cup. The last time, back in 1950, Chelsea edged through 1-0.
Ref Watch:
The referee for this replay will be Martin Atkinson.
Match Prediction:
Having drawn 2-2 on a pitch, at Griffin Park, which was a great leveller, Chelsea will be grateful to get Brentford back to Stamford Bridge. I`d hope that on home soil we can ease, quite comfortably, into round five and a subsequent trip to Middlesbrough. But the FA Cup can spring some surprises and I`m hoping that will not be the case on Sunday. Therefore, I`m tipping a closer game than some expect but I reckon Chelsea will ease through by two clear goals, eventually.
Next Fixtures:
Next up for Chelsea is the second leg of the Europa League tie against Sparta Prague, on Thursday, before we travel to take on Manchester City, at the Etihad Stadium, next Sunday.