Chelsea vs Brentford: 5 things to look out for

2. What is on the Line

Heading into this game week, Chelsea were two points ahead of Arsenal and four points behind Liverpool, who had a game in hand. Both Liverpool and Arsenal dropped points at home after matches on Saturday, so a win on Sunday would see Chelsea move within two points of the league leaders and extend their advantage over Arsenal to four points. Despite Maresca and his players insisting they are not in a title race, staying close to the top will only strengthen Chelsea’s primary goal: securing a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

3. Team Setup

Chelsea faced some challenges in the first half against Tottenham due to Spurs' high press, especially from the wings. Maresca made a tactical adjustment by bringing Malo Gusto on for Romeo Lavia, which allowed positional shifts that effectively nullified Tottenham’s pressing. This setup appears to be Maresca’s preferred approach against Brentford. The only decision he will need to make is the positioning of Enzo Fernandez. Last Sunday, after the tactical change, it was Marc Cucurella who took up the advanced role when Chelsea had possession, with Fernandez dropping deeper to provide additional options. Against Brentford, Maresca could opt to shift Fernandez further forward when in possession, with Cucurella inverting to the midfield to offer cover if the visitors initiate an attack.