After the shenanigans of Wednesday evening and our subsequent exit from the Capital One Cup, at the hands of Swansea City, Chelsea face Brentford in a 4th round FA Cup tie, a fixture that sees the two local rivals face each other, in a competitive football, for the firs time in over sixty years. Will Chelsea shake off their Capital One Cup blues and ease into round five, or will it be another of those days when you just look to the heavens and ponder why us (again)?
Vital Quotes:
Focussing on the clash, John Terry has commented,
“We must make sure we’re up for it from the off becuase Brentford are certainly going to be. It’s going to be a good test.”
Brentford Team News:
Our hosts, this Saturday, enter this intriguing fixture without the services of Jake Bidwell who, to his dismay, was the recipient of a red card in the League One clash with Orient.
Out through injury is Kevin O`Connor.
Player to watch: Clayton Donaldson
The number 9 has hit 19 goals this season, including 4 in the FA Cup already.
Chelsea Team News:
Rafa Benitez takes his squad the short distance up the road to Griffin Park with the pressure on his position increasing. Missing through injury will be Oriel Romeu, whilst Eden Hazard will be suspended for the first of a minimum of three games. Also out will be Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, both of whom are away, still, on African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria. Also out injured having made a cameo appearance against Swansea is David Luiz.
Questions we`d like answered, ahead of the clash, with regards to team selection are;-
? Is it time for John Terry to return to the heart of our defence?
? Who`ll start up front, Ba or Torres?
? Will Marko Marin get a starting place?
Player to watch: Juan Mata
May have looked a little jaded in recent games but still the one player that keeps us ticking over.
Match Facts & Stats
The record books show that our paths have crossed before in this competition. Back in 1950, an era I`d imagine none of us can boast about being too familiar with; saw the clubs drawn in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, on that occasion Chelsea eased through courtesy of a solitary goal, to take their place in round 4.
Ref Watch:
Our officials for this enticing fixture are;-
Referee – J. Moss
Assistant – S. Beck
Assistant – M. McDonough
Fourth Official – M. Dean
Match Prediction:
After the Capital One Cup exit at the hands of Swansea, Chelsea will be hoping that they can get the ship back into calmer waters against local rivals Brentford. However, meeting Brentford, in a competitive fixture for the first time in half a century, will ensure that there is a real competitive nature to this fixture and it could be a real tussle. Hopefully, our class will overcome their endeavour and cometh the final whistle I fully expect Chelsea to have won comfortably. Surely this Goliath is too good for this David!
Next Fixtures:
After the trip to Griffin Park, Chelsea faces a trip down the M4, into Royal Berkshire, to play Reading in the Premier League, on Wednesday night.