Chelsea XI vs Brentford: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is a major injury doubt for tonight’s Premier League clash against Brentford.

Xabi Alonso was then expected to confirm in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon if Joao Pedro would be part of Chelsea’s squad against Brentford.

“We will see tomorrow if he's ready to play and we will make a decision,” Alonso said when asked for an update on Joao Pedro’s fitness on Thursday.

Caicedo has not played since he was forced off injured 13 minutes after coming on to make a short-lived first appearance of the season during Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Brighton last month.

Captain James, meanwhile, was not pictured in training on Tuesday, albeit the media only had access to the first 15 minutes of the session.

Injury doubt: Chelsea could well be without key striker Joao Pedro against Brentford

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Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will all also be assessed, with Alonso keen to keep Chelsea’s matchday squad under wraps.

Last week, Alonso said that he hoped to have all three of Chelsea’s summer signings available to make their competitive debuts against Brentford.

The Spaniard reverted to a four-man defence against Hull, but could shift back to his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation to try to help Chelsea defend Brentford’s pace out wide.

There are also decisions to make in midfield, with Alonso struggling to settle on a double pivot combination he can trust in the absence of Caicedo.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Gusto, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Welbeck, Rogers

Doubts: Joao Pedro, Caicedo, James, Palestra, Henderson, Emegha