Chelsea v Brentford - FA Cup preview and team news
Chelsea resume their fourth round tie against Brentford after the Blues’ Europa League involvement denied them the chance to take the field for their replay with the Bees in midweek.
Indeed, the reigning FA Cup holders are somewhat lucky to even have the opportunity to take part in a replay after only being saved from a humiliating defeat at the League 1 outfit thanks to a rare goal from misfit striker Fernando Torres.
Interim boss Rafa Benitez has managed to relieve some of the rising pressure on him with two consecutive victories, in the league against Wigan and away at Sparta Prague to set his side on their way to the last 16 of the Europa League in midweek. Indeed, despite their problems with Brentford at Griffin Park, the Spaniard will surely be confident of easing into the fifth round as he continues his pursuit of a cup double this season.
The Blues have Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel available again after the Nigerian duo’s winning Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while Demba Ba may be paired with Torres up front. David Luiz is also available, as is John Terry, who sat out in Prague in midweek despite declaring himself fully fit from a knee injury.
Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has a near fully-fit squad to choose from for arguably one of the biggest games in the club’s history, with only Farid El-Alagui (knee) and Kevin O’Connor (ankle) missing from his side’s ranks.
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