Team News
Oriol Romeu is the only absentee for Chelsea due to a knee injury. Farid El Alagui is on the way to recovery following a long term knee injury sustained in November for Brentford. He will perhaps not be available for this clash. Kevin O’ Connor is set to remain out as he makes his way back from multi-ligament ankle and leg fracture injuries.
Analysis
It is incredibly difficult to predict a Chelsea result these days. Chelsea has seemingly become the football version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. To win in Prague is difficult in the Europa League. The London side managed to achieve that. However, they have been throwing away points in Premier League games which they should have won. Draws against Reading and Southampton come to mind for example.
Chelsea was not expected to only draw against Brentford in the first leg of this FA Cup tie. This tie was supposed to be put to bed by Chelsea. Somehow, the Blues managed to mess up the opportunity of progression to the following round. In fact, a late equalizer from Fernando Torres was needed to keep Chelsea alive in the FA Cup. They will be hoping to ensure qualification this time around against the League One side.
Previous Meetings
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (27th January 2013)
Previous Matches
Sparta Prague 0-1 Chelsea (14th February 2013)
Chelsea 4-1 Wigan (9th February 2013)
Newcastle United 3-2 Chelsea (2nd February 2013)
Reading 2-2 Chelsea (30th January 2013)
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (27th January 2013)
Brentford 2-0 Stevenage (12th February 2013)
Brentford 2-2 Bury (9th February 2013)
Yeovil 3-0 Brentford (2nd February 2013)
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (27th January 2013)
Brentford 2-2 Leyton Orient (22nd January 2013)
Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
