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Uzzi Majid

Chelsea, West Ham, Watford, Tottenham - Brentford's April fixtures analysed in relegation battle

It is now the business end of the season, where the race for the title, top four, Europe and survival are all heating up and is set for thrills and spills from next month until May 22.

Brentford are still very much in the fight for survival, despite being eight points clear of the relegation zone. Other teams below them still have games in hand, but still have to face teams at the top end of the table. Watford face Liverpool at Anfield along with Burnley hosting Manchester City, but Brentford cannot be relying on other teams like they have been over the past month.

So, how will the Bees aim to try and nullify their opponents to ensure they can take points off them to ensure their Premier League status for next season?

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Chelsea (A) - Saturday 2 April

It's safe to say this is going to be a difficult one for Brentford to take anything from. Even amidst all the noise regarding new ownership at SW6, the Blues have shown admirable resilience throughout this saga winning their last five league games in a row. Remarkably, their only defeat in 2022 came in January at Manchester City, but a combination of too many draws and injuries saw their title challenge falter.

Whether Chelsea have a new owner in charge by the time Brentford arrive at Stamford Bridge is another thing, but it is unlikely to distract Thomas Tuchel and his side from what should be a regulatory win for the Blues. Thomas Frank will have to ensure the Bees' defence stays super tight to ensure Brentford avoid a hiding, let alone conceding. It will be a game Frank and the players will relish, but one they will have to stay super focused.

West Ham (H) - Sunday 10 April

Eight days after their Stamford Bridge visit, Brentford will return back to home soil for the first time in 29 days where they welcome David Moyes and West Ham to West London. The Hammers' hopes of Champions League are relatively in the balance, with six points separating them and fourth place having played more games than their rivals. However, they are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they are due to face Ligue 1 side Lyon.

The first leg takes place at the London Stadium on April 7, three days before they visit TW8. Even though Moyes' side are at home for the first leg, Frank and the players could use this game to exploit any fatigue in the West Ham ranks to try and get a positive result. It's a game Brentford will certainly feel they can get something from.

Watford (A) - Saturday 16 April

Another trip on the road sees the Bees head to Vicarage Road to face Watford in what will be a massive clash for both sides. The two sides last met on Friday night football back in December, with a late winner from Bryan Mbeumo from the penalty spot sealing a priceless victory for Brentford that night.

It is a game Frank's side have to go all out and win, and it is the most winnable game out of the four they have next month. A win for the Bees could have big implications for them, in the hope they survive and Watford, whose worst fears of relegation could be a reality. Definitely one for Frank and Brentford not to lose by any means.

Tottenham Hotspur (H) - Saturday 23 April

Brentford's final game of April sees them welcome Champions League chasing Tottenham to Brentford Community Stadium for a 5:30 kick off. Antonio Conte's side have come into their stride in recent weeks, with four league wins in their last five games; their aim for Spurs to try and secure Europa League football at a minimum with Arsenal still in their driving seat for Champions League football.

Like West Ham, Spurs will certainly still be in the running for a top-four spot and all the pressure will be on them to get a positive result. Whether Brentford will be safe by then is another question, but they will be able to play their own game with no pressure and try and spoil Spurs' European aspirations. An evening kick-off in front of the Sky cameras, coupled with what is surely set to be an incredible atmosphere, could be the difference.

There is no getting away from the fact that all four games will be difficult for the Bees, but there is always a big scalp somewhere along the lines. Frank will be hoping for one, which might go a long way to ensuring Brentford's Premier League status.

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