Brentford v Chelsea: Key stats and talking points

Unbeaten Brentford host a Chelsea side struggling for consistency under manager Xabi Alonso. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night. Brentford continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought Carabao Cup win at Reading on Tuesday . Next on their agenda will be a return to winning ways in the Premier League. The Bees have turned into something of a draw specialist in the top flight, with 10 of their past 14 Premier League fixtures ending level, including three of four this season. They have opened the scoring in all four matches before being pegged back in the past three, conceding late equalisers in 1-1 draws with both Leeds United and Sunderland . And this fixture in particular tends to produce a stalemate. Brentford are winless in all five home London derbies against Chelsea in the Premier League, with the most recent four ending level. If Brentford are to right that record, targeting set-pieces could be a useful strategy. Only Leeds have a higher expected goals tally from set-pieces this season, while Chelsea have the seventh-highest total against (1.57). [BBC] Chelsea's chaotic start under Xabi Alonso continued with a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge last weekend. They have let in 12 goals in five games against Premier League opposition this season, including the 6-3 EFL Cup win over Leeds, conceding at least twice in each of those matches. Defensive issues, though, predate Alonso's arrival, with Chelsea failing to keep a clean sheet in the league since January. The summer signing of goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa was supposed to bring an element of calm to a vulnerable backline but only Ipswich Town , Crystal Palace and Coventry City have conceded more goals so far, while Chelsea are ceding clear opportunities to opposing teams. They have faced the joint-most shots on target (26) of any top-flight side in 2026-27. Only winless Fulham have faced more big chances than Chelsea's 15, evidencing how open they can be to play against. [BBC] Like Brentford, Alonso's side have opened the scoring in all four league outings this season, so the result of this meeting may rest on who best manages going ahead. Chelsea can take confidence from a good recent record in this fixture after going unbeaten in the past five meetings (W2, D3). They can also call on the services of the Premier League's most in-form forward to help continue that record. Joao Pedro has scored three goals and assisted three in this season's Premier League, two more goal involvements than any other player. Should the Brazilian falter on this occasion, Danny Welbeck is waiting in the wings. The 35-year-old has already scored three EFL Cup goals following his summer move from Brighton , but he is yet to open his account in the Premier League. Welbeck, though, has scored in his past three Premier League meetings with the Bees.