The Premier League returns this weekend with Brentford hosting Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday before Tottenham welcome Aston Villa to north London on Saturday.
Chelsea have not beaten Brentford in the league since Ben Chilwell secured a 1-0 win in October 2021 during the Bees' maiden top-flight season.
Kevin Schade arrives in form after a brace at Bournemouth and will test a Chelsea defence still adjusting to Xabi Alonso's tactical set-up.
Brentford's 20-year-old centre-back Jannik Schuster impressed on his full debut against Evanilson and must now contain João Pedro's three goals and three assists.
Fitness doubts over the Brazilian forward could hand Danny Welbeck a first league start for the visitors.
Across London, Spurs and Villa meet in a fixture billed as a desperation derby with both sides seeking momentum.
Andoni Iraola meanwhile prepares for a south-coast return as his Bournemouth side host an unnamed opponent in the next round.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Chelsea's expensive rebuild can finally solve their Brentford hoodoo or if Thomas Frank's continuity will shame the big spenders again.
- Friday 8pm BST: Brentford vs Chelsea, Gtech Community Stadium
- Saturday 3pm BST: Tottenham vs Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Chelsea winless vs Brentford in PL since Oct 2021 (1-0, Chilwell)
- Schade scored two at Bournemouth last week
- João Pedro: 3 goals, 3 assists for Chelsea this season
- Schuster, 20, replaced Nathan Collins at centre-back
Watch the Highlights
Source: The Guardian
