Follow live coverage as Brentford face Chelsea today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Brentford FC 0 - 0 Chelsea FC
Brentford vs Chelsea
16:06A tense West London affair comes to an end as Brentford draw 0-0 with a rather frustrated Chelsea. The Bees looked brighter in the opening period, with Mbeumo drilling a low shot past the right post after cutting inside in the 32nd minute. Five minutes later, Sanchez had to save well from Lewis-Potter's powerful header. After Tosin fluffed a golden headed chance before the interval, the second half saw Chelsea make changes to help in attack. Jackson, Palmer and Neto all emerged, and each had solid opportunities in between Brentford's often-counter-attacking fluidity with Mbeumo and Wissa. Two notable efforts amid a plethora arrived in the final 10 minutes. Wissa headed wide in the 81st minute following a superbly acrobatic Damsgaard cross. Then, Palmer had the chance to win it at the death, yet his effort on the turn just outside the box sailed just high of Flekken's bar. For 12th-placed Brentford, this point after a 1.22 xG outing will still come as a solid one despite their missed chances. For Chelsea, their Champions League aspirations may be dented after underperforming their 1.32 xG. That said, where they'll end the day will be impacted by fifth-placed Manchester City's clash with bitter rivals United. Thank you for joining us, goodbye!
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:55FULL-TIME: BRENTFORD 0-0 CHELSEA
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:55PALMER! Gusto drives at the defence and finds Palmer on the edge of the area. He turns and shapes a left-footed shot that just whizzes over Flekken's bar! What a strike that would've been to win it.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:54This has been a gritty watch in the dying embers. Chelsea look to go long, but Brentford are heading every ball.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:52There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:51Chelsea just can't pick the lock here as Brentford have settled for a point, it seems. Fernandez gets a bit of space in the area to spin and shoot. However, his effort is a pea roller that Flekken can watch wide.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:48The free-kick is lofted into the Chelsea box with Collins in the mix. However, the header is into the turf and easily claimed by Sanchez. Up the other end, Fernandez powers one on goal from outside the box for an easy low catch for Flekken.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:46Yellow Card Enzo Jeremías Fernández
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:46Chalobah is penalised for a challenge on Schade. The German has been a real thorn in Chelsea sides today. It's taken quickly and visitors manage to win the ball back.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:43Substitution Mikkel Krogh Damsgaard Mathias Jensen
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:43Substitution Kristoffer Vassbakk Köpp Ajer Michael Olabode Kayode
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:43WISSA! What a goal that would've been! Damsgaard is played in down the left of the box, and pulls out an agile bicycle kick cross that finds the head of Wissa. However, he nods just wide of the right post!
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:41Ajer nods a cross from the right behind much to the frustration of Flekken. Chelsea now have a corner. Neto sends it in but it's cleared before Mbeumo and Wissa counter with devastating pace. Mbeumo ends up taking the final shot of the move and forces a fine save from Sanchez down to his left. The corner goes short and a ball comes in for Van den Berg, who just heads over! Great chance!
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:37Yellow Card Sepp van den Berg
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:36Substitution Reece Lewis James Marc Cucurella Saseta
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:36Fernandez now fires off-target, signalling Chelsea's 16th shot of the day. They've now registered more strikes than their average of 15.7 in the Premier League this term.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:33Chelsea buzz around the Bees' box but to no avail. On the counter, Mbeumo darts behind before the play culminates with Wissa forcing a wrong-footed near post save from Sanchez after a shot from the left. The flag then goes up for offside, but it's a great hand from the Spanish stopper nonetheless.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:31SCHADE! All it needed was the right touch! Schade jinks inside a sprawling, floor-bound Gusto and slams the ball across the box. Wissa has an open goal, but it's a formidable ball to try and control. It flicks off the Congo international and continues on its way.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:30The Brentford free-kick comes in but Tosin heads out. Mbeumo tries to keep it alive, but the visitors stand firm for now.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:29A bitty spell of play comes to an end as James brings down Mbeumo as the two wrestle for a dropping long ball in the Chelsea half.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:26A shot off-target from Palmer outside the box ended that last phase of play, and it seems with his follow-through, he caught Collins. The defender receives treatment.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:26Substitution Yehor Yarmoliuk Vitaly Janelt
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:25JAMES! The left-sided corner finds James in the box, and his header for the top-left corner brings a great two-handed stop from Flekken!
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:24The resulting corner from the Neto effort comes to nothing as Gusto fires off-target. The substitutes have certainly helped the visitors, though, as in the next phase, Neto comes in off the right to fire from range again. It doesn't test Flekken but it's positive thinking nonetheless.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:22After great footwork beats two in red and white, Caicedo is finally chopped down on the halfway line. It looked like he was slalom skiing, the way he was negotiating the space. After this, play moves forward and Neto has a go from range forcing Flekken to parry behind well!
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:18Substitution Kiernan Frank Dewsbury-Hall Cole Jermaine Palmer
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:18Substitution Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke Pedro Lomba Neto
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:18One positive for the hosts if this remains goalless is the fact that they'd pick up their first home clean sheet of the Premier League campaign. So far, they've gone 16 home league games without a shutout.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:15The resulting corner comes to nothing as Jackson is beaten in the air and the Bees clear. In the next phase, Chelsea have another corner as a Gusto delivery is put behind. Chalobah connects but can't keep his effort on target.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:13VAN DEN BERG! Jackson runs to the right byline and fires in a cross inside the box. Van den Berg blocks it but forces Flekken to save! It was nearly an own goal there. Great reflexes.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:11Jackson is found by Fernandez down the right, and he breaches the Brentford box. However, he can only drag a shot across the face of Flekken's goal. Chelsea didn't have that sort of impetus in the first half, though. Positive.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:09Brentford start the second period brightly. Norgaard makes inroads down the left before his cross is a little too hard. Mbeumo loses the battle on the byline and Jackson looks to steal away down the touchline but pushes Collins into touch for a foul. Damsgaard delivers the deep free-kick before Chelsea clear.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:06We're back in action as Brentford kick off the second half.
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:04Substitution Christopher Alan Nkunku Nicolas Jackson
Brentford vs Chelsea
15:00It's been a game of half chances so far, with Brentford looking more convincing. That said, Frank's side have still only found an xG of 0.56 with their opportunities. Given the strength of Chelsea's bench and the likelihood of seeing both Jackson and Palmer emerge, you feel they must take at least one of these chances to combat the risk of punishment. Schade and Mbeumo have been the standouts thus far, yet with the Blues looking to up their 0.49 xG in the second period, the Bees will be looking for more of a sting in their play.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:55This latest West London clash between Brentford and Chelsea goes into the interval all square at 0-0. Out of the two sides, it's admittedly felt like Brentford's game to lose. After early half-chances for both, the Bees have looked the most likely to steal the lead. First, a golden opportunity arose for Damsgaard after a cute pass from Wissa, yet he could only watch on as he missed the ball completely and tumbled to the ground. In the 32nd minute, Mbeumo powered a low effort wide of the right post after cutting inside brilliantly. Five minutes later, a free-kick delivery found Lewis-Potter. He was denied smartly by Sanchez as he headed down. Although the Blues from down the road offered little in the way of offensive threat in the opening exchanges, they had a brilliant chance to take the lead right before the whistle. After Fernandez was fouled by Van den Berg, the free-kick found Tosin completely unmarked in the box. However, he could only head tamely wide to cap a frustrating first half.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:51HALF-TIME: BRENTFORD 0-0 CHELSEA
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:50The free-kick comes in and finds Tosin completely unmarked in the middle but he can only head wide!
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:49Following an aerial duel with Van den Berg, Fernandez is down holding his head. It looks like a rogue arm has hit the Argentine for the free-kick. Still, it is slightly soft.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:49As the Brentford free-kick from the right is cleared, it is signalled that there will be just two minutes of added time.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:47Yarmoliuk is carved down on Brentford's right wing by Tosin. The big defender trod right on the Ukrainian's ankle. It looked a sore one. Yellow card.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:47It feels like everyone's ready for the break here.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:44After Mbeumo nearly pulls off a great trivela pass at one end, Madueke looks to be played into the box at the other. However, Collins recovers and the lunging winger is penalised for his late challenge.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:41Nkunku slides in Sancho with a great ball inside the left channel. The former Dortmund man runs at goal, but a vital Collins touch sends it behind for a corner on the left. This chance is then wasted as Tosin fouls his marker in a crowded penalty area.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:39Norgaard and Damsgaard link up excellently as Brentford transition from defence to attack on the right. Mbeumo is found and beats James for pace before the England man brings the forward down for a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:37The away fans cries of 'attack' are answered by the Blues, yet only in the form of Madueke striking tamely at Flekken. 'We've had a shot' they sing.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:35A dropping ball has Sanchez looking to catch calmly. However, he is perhaps too casual and nearly drops it into the path of Mbeumo. In the next phase, the Cameroonian international brings the ball down excellently on the right wing, drives inside and just whizzes a low effort past the full-stretch keeper and the right post.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:33A near-comedic few minutes continues for Damsgaard. He goes for a one-two in an obvious offside position on the left flank and ends a promising Brentford attack.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:31Damsgaard tries to whip the free-kick on target from 22 yards, yet he just can't get the dip he requires and it's out for a goal kick. In the next phase, Wissa finds the Dane inside the box with a cute pass but he can't shoot. He misses the ball and falls over! What a chance that was!
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:27Yellow Card Malo Arthur Gusto
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:27Schade tracks back admirably to dispossess Gusto on the right edge of the Bees' box. Lewis-Potter takes the ball before being hauled back by the Frenchman for a free-kick.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:26Chelsea need to offer more here. The question comes to mind whether Maresca should've rotated against Spurs as the Blues look a little flat in parts.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:24Schade is found high on the left by Lewis-Potter and cuts back across the edge of the Chelsea box to lay off for an arriving Wissa. He strikes first time, yet with a joint effort from Tosin and Chalobah, the deflected effort trundles through for Sanchez to claim easily.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:22Nkunku is the target as Chelsea build-up culminates on the edge of the Brentford box. However, the flag goes up for offside. Admittedly, since that early flurry of action, the pace has certainly dropped here.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:20Norgaard presses determinedly as the ball ricochets off him and behind the Chelsea defence on the right. James does well to recover before the ball can be hoofed clear of the final third.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:18Brentford win a foul on the left after considered pressure. Mbuemo bends in the delivery before Caicedo forces it behind for a corner on the left. Collins and James tumble and scuffle in the box, delaying the kick, before Chelsea just about manage to head out when it does come in.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:16Sancho hovers with the ball on Chelsea's left flank before cutting back in and firing. His effort deflects across the box tamely before the hosts can clear.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:15Brentford are just looking to get more acquainted with the ball now, building some solid touches in their own defensive third.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:12Schade is found on the left with a fine lofted ball from defence. He drives inwards before just about finding Wissa on the byline. The blue shirts track back eventually before a Schade delivery is caught simply by Sanchez.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:10Damsgaard is penalised as he challenges a turning Dewsbury-Hall from behind. The central free-kick is taken quickly before a ball is sprayed out to Madueke on the right. Lewis-Potter tracks him well, though, and the wideman is forced back in-field and away from danger at halfway.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:08Nkunku drives down the left and has the chance to cross. However, Brentford quickly snuff out the danger by getting bodies back. Play switches wings with Madueke taking on Lewis-Potter at the right byline, but the winger can only drive a low cross into the base of the right post.
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:06WISSA! The early blows are coming in for both sides now as Lewis-Potter crosses for Mbuemo. He volleys it back across for Wissa but his stretching strike partner can only find the side netting with Sanchez nowhere near!
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:04CHANCE! Fernandez wins an early free-kick for Chelsea, as Schade shoves him in the back down the Blues' right wing. James whips in the ball and Nkunku heads over from close range! Nearly an opening goal straight away!
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:03And we're off at the Gtech Community Stadium!
Brentford vs Chelsea
14:02Michael Oliver is the day's referee. He leads the players out before the fans on what is truly a dazzling afternoon in West London. The Premier League anthem blares before the players meet. The captains come together with Oliver in the centre for the coin toss, and it looks like Chelsea will get us started, kicking from left to right.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:51A little more context before kick-off, anyone? Brentford will be looking to buck previous trends, as they're currently winless in their last four home league games against Chelsea (D2 L2) since a 1-0 win in October 1938. Furthermore, given the way in which the Blues won the reverse fixture at the Bridge with gamesmanship on display, the Bees should be more than up for this one. That said, having won that game 2-1 in December, Chelsea are looking to complete their first league double over their rivals since the 1946-47 campaign.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:45Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has made five changes to his side from the team that were 1-0 winners over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill all drop to the bench, perhaps with Thursday's Conference League quarter-final first leg in Poland against Legia Warszawa in mind. Reece James comes in at right-back to captain the side in a move which is likely to see Malo Gusto switch to left-back. Trevoh Chalobah will be partnered at centre-back by Tosin Adarabioyo, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall comes into midfield. Noni Madueke is expected to start on the right wing, with Christopher Nkunku set to lead the attack.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has made two changes to his side from the team that were beaten 2-1 away at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Kristoffer Ajer partners Nathan Collins at centre-back, while Mikkel Damsgaard comes into midfield. Vitaly Jensen and Ethan Pinnock both drop to the bench. Left-back Rico Henry makes the bench, having not played for the Bees since January's 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Midfielder Mathias Jensen also returns to the bench.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40SUBS: Filip Jorgensen, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Tyrique George.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto; Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandez, Jadon Sancho; Christopher Nkunku.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40SUBS: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock, Michael Kayode, Rico Henry, Edmond-Paris Maghoma, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Yunus Emre Konak.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40BRENTFORD (4-1-2-3): Mark Flekken; Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Keane Lewis-Potter; Christian Norgaard; Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mikkel Damsgaard; Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:40Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea continue their push for the Champions League places today, as they make the six-mile trip across to Brentford to face Thomas Frank’s 12th-placed Bees. Today’s hosts are looking to put Wednesday night’s 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle firmly in the rear-view mirror, although it must have stung to not only taste a first away defeat this year, but also to end a five-game winning run on the road. Fourth-placed Chelsea enter this fixture with high spirits after they returned from the international break with a narrow 1-0 win in Thursday's meeting with London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. While they celebrated a fifth consecutive home league win against the Lilywhites, Chelsea have been unable to replicate that sort of form on their travels, having taken just two points from their last seven top-flight road trips since they beat Spurs 4-3 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:34Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League's 31st gameweek. Today, action comes from West London, as Brentford host Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford vs Chelsea
13:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Brentford vs Chelsea
12:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
