Chelsea are set to take a short trip across West London, where they will face Brentford in the first game of matchday five of the 2026-27 Premier League season on Friday night (September 18th).
The Blues have begun the season quite impressively, even if their defensive frailties have almost entirely negated their exciting attack so far this term. They will be visiting one of their toughest away grounds, seeing as they have failed to win at Brentford since 2021.
The Bees are one point and one place below Xabi Alonso's side and are yet to taste defeat in the league this season. They are unbeaten in their last ten games across all competitions, but have never won a home game against the Blues.
The Blues have won one and lost one of their two away games, both in London, and will be aiming for a return to winning ways after dropped points in successive league games against Arsenal and Hull City. With the international break set to commence after this round, both sides will be aiming to head into the break on a high note.
Meet Brentford vs Chelsea Referee Andy Madley
The West London derby between Brentford at Chelsea will be refereed by Englishman Andy Madley, whose career began in the local Wakefield leagues in the 2000s.
The 43-year-old officiates primarily in the Premier League, having been on the Select Group 1 list of officials since 2019, and is an official FIFA referee, as well.
His first Premier League game was the 2-2 draw between Watford and Bournemouth in March 2018, and he has gone on to officiate over 100 more games in the competition since then.
This season, he has taken charge of two games in the league-Manchester City's win at Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest's win at Aston Villa.
He has also taken charge of a handful of other games this season, including one in the Championship, two European qualifiers, and the EFL Cup tie between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Madley was also in the middle for Chelsea's final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, which they won 3-1. His official games this season have yielded 28 yellow cards and no sending-offs yet.
Andy Madley is no stranger to Chelsea and their fans, having refereed their stirring comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2 at St. James Park last December. That was his last Chelsea game, but it will remain fresh in the memory.
Madley did not award what was thought of as a 'stonewall penalty' after Trevoh Chalobah and Anthony Gordon had a coming together inside the Chelsea box, leading to criticism from ex-PGMOL boss Keith Hackett.
Also in September 2022, Madley ruled out a legitimate goal scored by West Ham's Maxwel Cornet after a VAR review, another decision that went in favour of the Blues and was widely criticised by Hackett.
In November 2024, Hackett called out Madley for failing to send off then-Leicester City man Wilfred Ndidi after he appeared to stand on the Achilles of Cole Palmer during a challenge, and the referee only showed him a yellow card.
Chelsea will hope for more good fortune with Madley, seeing as away teams have won both of his games so far in the league this season.
Who is Assisting Andy Madley?
Andy Madley will have Nick Hopton and Craig Taylor as his assistants on the touchline, with Lewis Smith set for the role of fourth official.
Following more VAR controversy this season, Australian referee Jarred Gillett will be the VAR, with Edward Smart serving as his assistant from Stockley Park.
