Chelsea Predicted XI vs Brentford: Levi Colwill returns to the lineup in 4-2-3-1
Chelsea nearly didn't win the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Daniel Farke's Leeds United on Wednesday. The Blues went behind in the 8th minute to Mateo Joseph. The west London club completed the comeback through a Mykhailo Mudryk strike driven low into the far corner, but Joseph was to have a dream game as he netted an equalizer in the 59th minute, but Mauricio Pochettino's men snatched victory through a Conor Gallagher strike in the 90th minute.
Chelsea travels to 16th-placed Brentford in another London derby. Thomas Frank's men have been in bad form this season, but they always seem to know how to play against the west Londoners. Here are who the Pride of London thinks will get the go-ahead:
Djordje Petrovic (No. 28) Goalkeeper, Serbia
Petrovic was rested for the cup game on Wednesday. It makes sense that he is now the Blues' first choice, as he has shown elite shot-stopping and very good distribution. Robert Sanchez also did not cover himself in glory, considering his performance against Leeds United.
Malo Gusto (No. 27) Right back, France
Gusto would be coming up against a physically dominant Brentford team, and his physical attributes would be tested to the maximum. His tackling has been particularly good. More than good in fact.
Axel Disasi (No. 2) Centerback, France
Disasi would be needed as the best-performing centerback at the club, excelling especially in ground duels and aerial duels. According to Sofascore, he has won 58% of his ground duels and completed 77% of his tackles. Pochettino's chances of winning increase with the former AS Monaco defender on the pitch.
Levi Colwill (No. 26) Centerback, England
Colwill should be back in the starting lineup against Brentford. His aerial prowess will be crucial against Frank's men. Colwill's passing will also come in handy. The Englishman's aerial numbers have gotten worse as the season has progressed.
Ben Chilwell (No. 3) Left back, England
Chilwell needed to be rested against Leeds United in midweek, and the Chelsea gaffer found a way to do it. Chilwell has played a lot of games lately, but after the rest against Leeds, he should be ready to go for this one.
Enzo Fernandez (No. 8) Central midfielder, Argentina
Fernandez will play a crucial role in this game. He needs to be more reserved on the ball and not ping it long at whatever opportunity he gets. Chelsea needs to control proceedings tomorrow, and Fernandez will be needed to accomplish that.
Moises Caicedo (No. 25) Central midfielder, Ecuador
Caicedo has been exemplary in recent weeks. He is showing signs of what the Chelsea hierarchy saw when they decided to break the bank for him. His pass selection is excellent, usually making a high volume of passes at a very high success rate.
Conor Gallagher (No. 23) Central attacking midfielder, England
Gallagher, or as I like to call him Conor "match winner" Gallagher has won at least two matches for the west Londoners in as many weeks. The Englishman is often slandered by some fans, but he continues to be effective as a goal threat, as well as in and out of possession.
Cole Palmer (No. 20) Right winger, England
With 10 goals and six assists in 22 games, Palmer is comfortably Chelsea's most influential player. His teammates often turn to him to make things happen. He has created more big chances (8) than any other Blues player, and two more than Conor Gallagher in second place.
Mykhailo Mudryk (No. 10) Left winger, Ukraine
Mudryk showed good things against Leeds United, topping it off with a fabulous goal. Fans have wanted the Ukraine to start for weeks, but until now, all he had done was make case after case for why...Raheem Sterling should continue to start.
Nicolas Jackson (No. 15) Center forward, Senegal
Jackson is by far Chelsea's best goal threat. Yes, he has missed a lot of chances, but that comes with the office. As long as he keeps getting the chances, the goals will come. His holdup play has pulled the Blues out of trouble time and again.