Chelsea are “maybe the best team in the Premier League right now”, says Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in June, has led the Blues to six straight wins in all competitions before hosting Frank’s Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Four successive league wins have taken Chelsea second in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool.
“They are maybe even more in-form than Liverpool, even though they are top of the league,” said Frank.
“They are playing incredible football and are well-coached. Maresca has done a top job so far with his coaching staff and they look extremely dangerous.”
Premier League top scorers Chelsea followed up a 4-3 win at Tottenham with a 3-1 win over Astana in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, and Maresca’s side have registered 15 goals in their past four games in all competitions.
Brentford are ninth after beating Newcastle 4-2 last weekend. But while the Bees have been formidable at home so far this season they have taken just one point from a possible 21 away.
They do, however, have an encouraging record at Stamford Bridge – winning all three of their Premier League games there.
“[Chelsea] have so many threats going forward and have top-quality players all over the pitch. I expect an unbelievably difficult game,” said Frank.
“They are massive favourites but, of course, we believe that we can compete against anyone and we believe we can win.”