Chelsea are set to take on Brentford in a must-win Premier League London derby six-pointer at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues have taken only three points from a possible 15 in their last five Premier League games (D3, L2).
In fact, they’ve won just one of their last nine league outings (D5, L3) and are looking to snap that atrocious run of form on home turf.
Rosenior’s first week at Chelsea has been a mixed introduction to life at the Bridge. He started his reign with an emphatic 5-1 FA Cup third round win over Charlton Athletic.
However, the feel-good factor didn’t last long as the Blues were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
Having failed to win his first game on home turf, the new head coach will be determined to make up for it as he prepares for his Premier League home debut.
However, Chelsea’s recent form against Brentford doesn’t inspire confidence that they can come away with maximum points.
The Blues have won just one of their last eight league meetings with Brentford (D4, L3). While they’re unbeaten in the last four, three of those games have ended in stalemate, including the last two.
How Chelsea could line up
Since Maurizio Sarri’s debut win in 2018, only Graham Potter has won his first Premier League match as Chelsea manager – a record Rosenior will be eager to break.
However, his task has been made a little more complicated with the Blues set to be without at least five players for Saturday’s outing.
Robert Sanchez didn’t cover himself in glory in the defeat to Arsenal, but should keep his place between the sticks. Malo Gusto has been ruled out, while Reece James is nursing a hip problem.
The Chelsea skipper took part in the last training session, but Rosenior could protect him by handing Josh Acheampong a second start in a row despite his 5/10 display against Arsenal.
The teenager will likely join Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella in defence. Moises Caicedo should return to the XI after serving his suspension.
He’ll likely anchor the midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, although the Argentine could be moved to the number 10 role if Cole Palmer fails a late fitness test.
Alejandro Garnacho should be rewarded for his brace against Arsenal with a place in the XI, while Estevao retains his spot ahead of Pedro Neto on the right flank.
Liam Delap will miss the game due to illness, so Joao Pedro should be tasked with leading the line despite his woeful performance last time out.
Predicted XI;
(4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
