Confirmed Chelsea line-up against Brentford | News | Official site

On Thursday’s trip to Kazakhstan, the Blues embarked on the longest European away trip in the club’s history, with eight-hour flights to Almaty and back, plus the players facing Astana in sub-zero temperatures.

This meant we didn’t arrive back until mid-morning on Friday, so with just over two days to prepare for tonight’s game with Brentford, Maresca decided to leave the majority of our senior players at home for the trip to Kazakhstan.

So it came as no surprise to hear that Maresca has decided to make 10 changes for tonight’s 7pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge, with Tosin Adarabioyo the only one to retain his place.

Pedro Neto’s exclusion meant there was always going to be one change from the side that beat Spurs 4-3 last weekend, with Noni Madueke returning on the right wing.

That means Robert Sanchez is back in goal and will be protected by a back four which should see Malo Gusto on the right, Tosin and Levi Colwill in the middle, with Marc Cucurella on the left.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the two midfielders, with Cole Palmer in front of them, and Jadon Sancho and Madueke on the flanks. Nicolas Jackson leads the line once again.

Chelsea’s bench includes Christopher Nkunku, who did not make the trip to Kazakhstan, while the rest were all part of the squad that won 3-1 on Thursday, including academy trio Josh Acheampong, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George.

Today’s London derby will not be televised in the UK, but you can follow all the action in our Chelsea vs Brentford Match Center on our official website and app.

Chelsea’s starting XI: Sánchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga, Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Nkunku, Guiu