Our head coach has been forced to make changes at the back, with this game coming too soon for Thiago Silva following his late return from international duty with Brazil and Antonio Rudiger ruled out by an injury suffered with Germany during the break.

In their place, Andreas Christensen returns alongside Trevoh Chalobah, while Malang Sarr completes the back three to play his first game in the Premier League, as his only previous Blues appearance came in this season’s Carabao Cup win against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. Behind that trio, Edouard Mendy continues between the posts.

It looks like Tuchel may opt for a three-man midfield, matching the system regularly used by our opponents, as N’Golo Kante returns to the side, in addition to Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. On the flanks, captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell also retain their places from the 3-1 win over Southampton.

That means Timo Werner is expected to partner Romelu Lukaku in a front two at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Brentford have made one change to the starting XI that won 2-1 at West Ham United in their last match two weeks ago, with Mathias Jensen replacing Shandon Baptiste in midfield.

Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Sarr; Azpilicueta (c), Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Lukaku, Werner

Substitutes: Kepa, Alonso, James, Barkley, Jorginho, Saul, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi, Mount

Brentford: Raya; Zanka, Pinnock, Jansson (c); Canos, Jensen, Norgaard, Onyeka, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney

Substitutes: Fernandez, Thompson, Goode, Forss, Ghoddos, Ajer, Bidstrup, Roerslev, Maghoma

Referee: Anthony Taylor