European Leagues

Brentford vs Chelsea: History, team news

It’s Brentford vs Chelsea in the Blues first league action since a valiant draw at the Etihad is an all-west London clash.

The Blues have won each of their past four derby matches and ahead of the latest installment, club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton detail all you need to know.

It is Chelsea’s first Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off since mid-December and the fifth of the season. The Blues have won two and lost two of the previous four in that time slot.

Thomas Frank has had a clear week to rest and prepare his 16th-placed side since Monday, when they were beaten 4-2 at West Ham.

That was the Bees’ fifth loss in seven league outings since the turn of the year, and they have lost four of their last five at the Gtech Stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino’s squad should have a spring in their step after the dramatic 3-2 FA Cup victory over ancient rivals Leeds on Wednesday, with Leicester to come in the quarter-finals.

Team news

The return to league action may prompt Mauricio Pochettino, in this Brentforn vs Chelsea, to restore some key men who sat out most of Wednesday’s cup success over Leeds. Djordje Petrovic, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer are among those vying for a start against the Bees.

Palmer, named as Men’s Player of the Year at the London Football Awards on Thursday evening, has had a hand in 16 goals over his past 17 Premier League appearances (10 goals, six assists), plus six goals in five London derbies (three goals, three assists).

Gallagher’s dramatic late winner against Leeds took his goal involvement to 10, fuelled by Enzo Fernandez’s first assist of the season.

Nicolas Jackson (fed by Moises Caicedo’s second assist) reached double figures in goals for his debut season against Leeds and his impressive all-round form could see Pochettino giving him the nod against the depleted Bees’ rearguard.

In October’s reverse fixture at the Bridge, Chelsea dominated possession. We forced 10 corners and created plenty of chances, but ultimately fell foul of poor finishing and individual defensive errors. Bryan Mbeumo – injured this weekend – made one and scored the other in that 2-0 loss.

Brentford

Brentford paid for some stately defending in a sleepy start to the 4-2 defeat at West Ham and could not find the right final pass often enough when in good attacking positions.

The loss since early December of talismanic forward Bryan Mbeumo is one of seven long-term absences Thomas Frank has had to deal with this season.

The Cameroon international – well acquainted with Chelsea’s net – became the Bees’ focal point during Ivan Toney’s suspension and remains their biggest contributor towards goals. So Brentford vs Chelsea meet may be tough for some.

Skipper Ben Mee’s injury on Monday has compounded defensive concerns, with Aaron Hickey and Ethan Pinnock already unavailable for Frank. That could mean a recall for Irish centre-half Nathan Collins.

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is an impressive distributor, but does not dominate his area and has the third-lowest ratio for saves per shot on target (64.3 per cent)

The hosts’ midfield armoury includes the bursting runs of Frank Onyeka, Mathias Jensen’s long throws and, since January, Spurs loanee Sergio Reguilon‘s whipped set-plays.

The Bees play the fifth-most long passes in the division towards Toney, who has struck four times in the seven games since his return, and the more abrasive Neal Maupay, whose goal on Monday briefly rattled the Hammers.

Only Sheffield United (36) and Burnley (32) have conceded more home league goals than Saturday’s hosts (27).

Related Topics:Brentford Chelsea EPL Featured

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ademola Lookman Trains Fully Ahead Of Champions League Clash

Atalanta has received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Club Brugge, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman returning to full training on Monday, February 17, per Allnigeriasoccer.

Lookman had been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained just two days before a crucial match against Barcelona.

His recovery and return to group training are expected to enhance Atalanta’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming fixture.

Lookman’s return is also a positive development for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle, who was appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria national football team in January 2025, is keen to have his key players in top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are set to resume their qualifying campaign in March 2025, with matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Lookman’s return to fitness will be closely monitored by Chelle, as the winger’s pace and creativity could be instrumental in Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

Atalanta’s coach will however assess Lookman’s fitness to determine his potential involvement in the upcoming Champions League match against Brugge.

Given the importance of the fixture, Lookman’s inclusion could provide a significant advantage, as his attacking prowess has been a key asset for Atalanta this season.

For Atalanta supporters, Lookman’s recovery is great news, and the club’s prospects in the Champions League look much brighter with him back in the fold.

Atalanta is aiming to build on their strong performances this season, and Lookman’s return is crucial as they look to advance further in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As the match day draws closer, both Lookman and Atalanta are hopeful that the winger can make an impact once again, and fans are excited to see the Nigerian back on the pitch.

With Lookman fully integrated into the squad once more, Atalanta’s attacking threat is renewed, and they are optimistic about their chances in the Champions League.

Allnigeriasoccer