Frank: Chelsea are the best team in the league right now

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has said that Chelsea are probably the best team in the Premier League at the moment. 

Frank's team travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday looking for a first away win of the season against a Chelsea side who could close the gap on leaders Liverpool to two points with victory with a fifth consecutive league victory. 

"They are maybe the best team in the Premier League right now," Frank told Brentford's official website. "They might even be more in-form than Liverpool, even though they're top of the league."

Frank's words reflect the growing reverence for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, whose side have become a credible title challenger this season. "They are playing incredible football and are well-coached," Frank continued.

"Maresca has done a top job so far with his coaching staff, and they look extremely dangerous. They have so many threats going forward and top-quality players all over the pitch.

"I expect an unbelievably difficult game. They are massive favourites, but we believe we can compete against anyone, and we believe we can win."

Maresca returned the compliment, praising Brentford's tactical flexibility.

"They are quite complicated to play against because of the different ways they can set up and play," he said. "We will need our fans behind us because I have a feeling it will be a very tough game. It could be a game decided on a tiny difference."

Brentford have triumphed in all three of their previous Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, but make the short journey across west London looking to defy their poor away form this season.

At home, Brentford are imperious, averaging 2.75 points per game at the Gtech Community Stadium. Away from home, however, they've managed just one point from seven such matches, scoring five goals and conceding 14. Only Southampton's inferior goal difference put them below Brentford in the table for away results. 

Such a chasm between home and away results is unprecedented. Brentford's 2.61-point home-away disparity is the largest in Premier League history, dwarfing Fulham's 1.79-point difference from the 2005/06 season.

When asked about the reason for this disparity, Frank responded with characteristic candour. "I've got no clue," he told Match of the Day.

It is worth noting, though, that Brentford's away fixtures so far this season have included trips to Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa.

Adding to the intrigue of Sunday's match-up, not one of the six Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Brentford has been won by the home side, with two ending level. 

So while history leans in Brentford's favour, their current form on the road raises doubts over their chances. They will hope their knack for unsettling Chelsea at Stamford Bridge can help turn the tide.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will look to put themselves firmly in title contention following Liverpool and Arsenal draws on Saturday.