************Guaita**********
Mitchell*Andersen*Guehi*Adaramola
*******Hughes***McArthur*********
*************Eze*****************
**Olise*****Mateta*******Wilf****

if not clyne at RB and Michell LB

No Gallagher against Chelsea, Eze needs game time

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

If Mcarthur and Kouyate are fit I would play them together in midfield with Gallagher against Brentford.
This worked earlier in the season and gets the best out of Gallagher who can spend more time in advanced positions pressing higher up and breaking into the penalty area.
Hughes has done nothing to warrant being left out, but it’s about getting the balance in midfield that works for the whole team and Hughes could replace the ineligible Gallagher v Chelsea.
Brentford have 3 dangerous centre backs in the air as well as Toney and are very good at set pieces.
It may be game for Benteke to assist in this regard, although it possibly sounds a bit Hodgdonesque to include him just to help defensively.
But corners and long throws are possibly Brentford’s main threat and this will have to be countered.

Jansson,Pinnock and Ajer are all a threat at set-pieces.
Sorensen delivers a long throw.
Brentford will play with intensity.

Butland
Ward Andersen Guehi Mitchell

McArthur Kouyate Hughes

Gallagher Zaha

Benteke

Subs Guiata, Clyne, Tomkins, Eze, Schlupp, Ayew, Olise, Edouard

Benteke, Kouyate in to help with defending set plays, Butland he’s better on crosses. Gallagher, Zaha to link off Benteke, we hardly ever put a decent cross into the box so need to play between the lines

Guiata

Ward- Andersen - Guehi - Mitchell

Kouyate Hughes

Gallagher

Olise Mateta Zaha

This is both what I think we should start with and what I think PV will go for.

It's tough on Eddy and his press is superb, but as frustrating as Zaha is, he's always got that one moment of magic and we'd have lost against Norwich without him.

We're desperate for Kouyate back which frees up both Hughes and Gallagher for their preferred roles. Hughes is not a solo DM and Gallagher is more effective being allowed to play box to box.

McCarthur clearly isn't ready for a start, but he needs minutes today as Chelsea will batter us if Schlupp starts over him against them so he needs to get his fitness up.

Eze also needs more minutes at some point as a sub - perhaps for Olise?

If Mateta starts then Eddy gets minute as a sub too.

Ward needs the protection that Ayew affords.