Chelsea travels to Brentford seeking to break five-year away winless streak

Chelsea travels to Brentford on Friday in a Premier League match where the Blues seek to end their five-year winless streak at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford, unbeaten this season under manager Keith Andrews, will look to exploit Chelsea's defensive weaknesses through their dangerous set-pieces, while Chelsea bring attacking threat through João Pedro and their front three.

Quick Facts

Chelsea vs Brentford Premier League match
Chelsea seeking to break five-year away winless streak at Brentford
Chelsea have drawn all four recent visits to Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford unbeaten start to 2026-27 season
Chelsea recruited Austin MacPhee as set-piece coach

Chelsea will face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday evening in a Premier League fixture where both teams arrive in strong form but with contrasting defensive records. The Blues, managed by Xabi Alonso, have struggled at this venue in recent years—they have not won there since October 2021, when Ben Chilwell's goal secured victory under Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea's last four visits to the stadium have all ended in draws, including a 2-2 result last season where Fabio Carvalho equalized from a Kevin Schade long throw in stoppage time.

Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, have begun the season unbeaten with seven league points from four games: a 3-0 victory over Tottenham followed by draws against Leeds, Sunderland, and Bournemouth, plus a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Reading. The Bees are known for their physical, direct style and particularly dangerous set-pieces delivered via long throws from Schade, Mathias Jensen, and Michael Kayode. Chelsea have addressed defensive vulnerabilities by recruiting Aston Villa's set-piece coach Austin MacPhee during the summer transfer window.

Chelsea arrive with seven league points from their opening four games, having beaten Fulham and Brighton, lost 2-1 at Arsenal, and drawn 2-2 at home to Hull City. Alonso has emphasized that while Chelsea's attacking play is strong—they have scored 10 league goals—defensive consistency remains a work in progress. The Blues have conceded nine league goals in four matches and have shown particular vulnerability at set-pieces, an area Brentford will look to exploit.

Injury absences affect both sides. Brentford are without captain Nathan Collins (calf strain) and midfielder Mathias Jensen, though Fábio Carvalho has returned to competitive football following an 11-month absence from an ACL injury, starting in Tuesday's Carabao Cup match. For Chelsea, Moisés Caicedo is targeting a return after a calf problem, while Romeo Lavia has already come back. Danny Welbeck has scored in each of his last three Premier League games against Brentford.

Historically, Brentford have never defeated Chelsea on home soil in the league since 1938. In their last five meetings across all competitions, Chelsea have won two and drawn three. However, Brentford's recent unbeaten run and Chelsea's defensive lapses suggest a competitive fixture. Alonso has stressed the importance of balance between attack and defence, noting that Brentford are "very complete in many aspects" both with and without possession. The match represents a significant test for Chelsea before the international break.

Topics

Sports

#Premier League #Away record #set pieces #Chelsea #Brentford #long throws #football #Xabi Alonso #Defence #West London derby

Entities

Why This Matters

Chelsea's five-year away winless streak at this venue—their last away victory came in October 2021—represents a documented pattern of defensive lapses. Both teams enter with identical seven-point records from four matches. Measurable stakes include: Chelsea's conceded nine league goals in four matches versus Brentford's physical set-piece delivery (long throws from Schade, Jensen, Kayode); Chelsea's summer recruitment of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee as a direct countermeasure; and injury absences (Brentford's Nathan Collins and Mathias Jensen; Chelsea's Caicedo targeting return) that affect squad depth. A Chelsea loss extends the away streak and impacts standings before the international break.

Timeline & Sources

Oct 16, 2021

Wire

Chelsea last defeated Brentford away at Gtech Community Stadium with goal from Ben Chilwell under Thomas Tuchel

Jan 17, 2026

Wire

Chelsea's last Premier League clean sheet (mentioned as reference point)

Sep 18, 2026

Wire

Brentford vs Chelsea Premier League match at Gtech Community Stadium (Friday evening UK time)

Sep 19, 2026

Wire

Match in WIB (Saturday early morning)