Thomas Frank revealed Brentford's 'secret sauce' is about the people within the club, but hopes the Bees' recent success can lead to a first away win of the season.
Brentford continued their impressive form at the Gtech Community Stadium with a 4-2 win over Newcastle United last time out, with Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade on target.
Their latest home win saw them triumph in five consecutive home league games in the Championship for the first time since February 2021, while it is the first time the Bees have done so at the highest level since Christmas Day 1936 (run of nine).
But Frank's side have taken just one point from their seven away games this season, and the Brentford boss will be hoping for a first win this season against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
“I would like to continue this home form. Some wins on the road would also be welcome,” said Frank. “The players are growing, many of the players who have been here for a while have taken another step up.
“There are a few stories about Brentford, most of them are positive. “I think the 'secret sauce' is the people at the club. It is people who create the culture – and culture trumps everything.
“The culture we have built together over the years is, in my opinion, incredible. If you want to go fast, go alone; If you want to go far, you go together.
“That culture is built on what I would call the path to success: passion, attitude, solidarity and hard work.
“Yes, data is important, but all indicators of high performance are culture, people, solidarity and teamwork. That's the secret sauce we have.”
Sunday evening at Stamford Bridge
Next: Chelsea (A) pic.twitter.com/sxaguqb5yi
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 12, 2024
Chelsea, meanwhile, were involved in midweek action in the Europa Conference League, making the 16-hour tour to Kazakhstan to take on Astana, winning 3-1 on Thursday.
The Blues maintained their perfect record in the competition and booked their place in the last 16 with their latest win, inspired by a youthful side battling freezing temperatures at Ortalyq Stadium.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca labeled the victory a “solid performance” and praised teenage trio Josh Acheampong, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George for their contributions.
“It was a solid performance,” Maresca said. “We knew it was quite cold and we tried to adapt quickly.
“The players did a fantastic job with the weather conditions, the long journey yesterday and the pitch not being ideal for us. Overall I am very happy for the players.
“I'm also happy for the young players who helped us win the match. I was impressed with all of them. Those who started, Tyrique [George]Sam [Rak-Sakyi] and Jos [Acheampong] they all did very well.
“So I'm very happy for them and for those who came into action in the second half, I'm happy.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea Cole Palmer
Palmer was involved in 38 Premier League goals in 2024 (25 goals, 13 assists), more than any other player and the most of any Chelsea player in a single calendar year in the competition.
The last player to reach 40 in one year was Mohamed Salah in 2018 (40), while the last Englishman to do so was Harry Kane in 2017 (46).
12 – Cole Palmer has scored all 12 penalties in the Premier League; the best 100% record of any player in the competition (overtaking Yaya Touré's 11/11). Cold. pic.twitter.com/pTsnOj1g8l
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2024
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
After a difficult few weeks, Mbeumo was back among the goals in Brentford's win over Newcastle and will be keen to continue his form at Stamford Bridge.
He has scored nine Premier League goals for Brentford this season, his highest tally in a single season (also nine in both the 2022/2023 and 2023/24 seasons). No Cameroonian has ever scored ten goals in a single season in the league.
MATCH PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN
Chelsea have won each of their last four Premier League games, and the last three, while scoring three or more goals in each match. Only once before in the Blues' history have they scored more than three goals in four consecutive top-flight games, between November and December 1954 under Ted Drake.
Despite being the highest scorer in the Premier League this season with 35 goals, Chelsea have scored almost twice as many away from home (23) as they have at Stamford Bridge (12).
After winning their first Premier League meeting with Brentford, the Blues are winless in their last five against them (D2 L3) since then, with all three defeats coming at Stamford Bridge.
Brentford has now won all three away games in the Premier League against Chelsea. The last team to win four consecutive away games against the Blues was Leeds United (six between 1973 and 1991).
The Bees have scored 31 times and conceded 28 goals in the Premier League this season. If they concede twice against Chelsea, they will be only the second team after Leeds United in the 2020-2021 season to score both 30 and 30 goals in the first sixteen games of a league season.
None of the six Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Brentford have been won by the home team (D2 L4) – only Bournemouth vs Watford (10) has been played more times without ever seeing a home win.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Chelsea – 67.3%
Draw – 17.6%
Brentford – 15%
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