Is Brentford vs Chelsea on TV? Channel, streaming, how to watch and why kick-off is at 8pm

Chelsea will hope the focus returns to matters on the pitch when they face west London rivals Brentford on Saturday night. The Blues have been hit with 74 Football Association charges after their current owners self-reported financial issues to the football authorities they uncovered when buying the club from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

While a points deduction and/or transfer ban is possible, the club expects to receive a fine instead. Nevertheless, it has caused unwanted headlines for the club world champions, who have made an encouraging to the season with seven points from three games.

Meanwhile, Brentford, now managed by Keith Andrews following Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham, are 15th with three points. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the game and why it is being played on a Saturday night…

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READ MORE: Chelsea's response to points deduction threat after FA hit Blues with 74 charges

Why is Brentford vs Chelsea kicking off at 8pm?

Having been picked for live coverage by Sky Sports, 8pm on Saturday night was the only available slot.

The match couldn’t be played on Sunday due to Brentford’s Carabao Cup tie versus Aston Villa on Tuesday, while the Friday night slot was not available because of the international break. Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest is the TNT Sports pick on Saturday lunchtime, while West Ham against Tottenham is Sky’s 5.30pm selection.

How to watch Brentford vs Chelsea

Coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League begins at 7.45pm. Sky subscribers can also stream the match via their mobile devices.

The match can also be streamed via the Sky-owner NOW service, with Day Memberships costing £14.99 and monthly memberships starting at £28. There will be highlights of the game on Match of the Day, starting at 10.50pm

Team news

Chelsea could be without four of their South American stars, although new signing Alejandro Garnacho could make his debut.

The Blues’ three Brazilians – Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos – arrived back in England on Thursday after playing in their country’s 1-0 defeat to Bolivia, while Moises Caicedo returned late on the same evening following Ecuador’s victory over Argentina. Brazil’s game took place at an altitude of more than 4,000m, creating a further complicating factor in recovery times.

“The three Brazilian players arrived yesterday, they didn’t train, they did some recovery sessions,” said Enzo Maresca on Friday. “Moises arrived last night. They’re all a question mark for tomorrow.”

Enzo Fernandez was suspended for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers and remained at the club’s Cobham training base. Cole Palmer remains an injury doubt, having not played since coming off in the 5-1 win at West Ham last month. Striker Liam Delap will be out until December.

For Brentford, midfielder Vitaly Janelt, who hasn’t featured since April due to a heel issue, is available for selection, having played 45 minutes for the B-team on Tuesday. Full-time Michael Kayode suffered illness while on international duty with Italy U21s, but has recovered and is available for selection.

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