Brentford

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Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Sport after Brentford's victory over Crystal Palace: "You can say that [Brentford got lucky with Palace's disallowed goal] It is a foul. We had the exact same situation against Sheffield United last year. It would have been disallowed anyway."

On Ivan Toney, Frank added: "There's been a lot of things around Ivan with transfer rumours and activity. That is why he didn't feature today."

"No [a move isn't close], there's things going on, but it is not potentially close."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa became the first player to both score and assist in three consecutive Premier League games since Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez in December 2021.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on the performance, Brentford fans, external

What did you make of that display, Crystal Palace ers?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are two games on the opening Sunday of the 2024-25 Premier League season and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

*All times are BST

Follow live here

A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for Brentford v Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

England striker Ivan Toney is still at Brentford and who knows how that will pan out.

They will be fine if Toney does leave, because they carried a threat for so long without him last season anyway, and I like the balance in their team.

Crystal Palace ended last season really well under Oliver Glasner but I'm not sure how they will shape up this time.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been at the Olympics, Michael Olise has left, while Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen could be sold as well - so we could be seeing a very different Palace.

We will have to wait to see how things settle down for both sides but, in the meantime, this is another game with draw written all over it.

Liam's prediction: 2-2

I think both teams will be pretty attacking so I can see a few goals.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Earlier, we asked you who has made the most Premier League appearances for Brentford.

By a whisker, the answer is Vitaly Janelt, who has 104 for the Bees, a mere two games clear of team-mate Yoane Wissa.

In that time, he has scored eight goals and made four assists.

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport Journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Ivan Toney, Frank said the England forward has "trained well and is available for Sunday". He added: "This transfer window, there has been so much talk about Ivan. I think everyone will be a bit disappointed that he is still here after 1 September, because you [the media] can't ask that question again. There's a January transfer window, but let's see."

• On team news: "The main thing last season was that we had too many injuries. A lot of them are now in a good place - for example, Ben Mee and Keane Lewis-Potter will be available for selection on Sunday, which is a very good thing."

• On new g Fabio Carvalho who ed earlier this week from Liverpool: "He will be available for the team and for the squad. I'm pretty sure he will be involved in that. He has looked good in training; he is a very exciting player. I like the way he is on the half-turn, the way he drives with the ball, the way he he can set up other players, the way he can also score goals. I think he has a lot of quality."

• On his wishes for the new season: "One wish would probably be to say no injuries, but the fewest injuries in the league. If we get that then we will have a fantastic season."

• On making improvements to prevent injuries: "The injuries that happened [last season], we were never happy with because there was a lot of injuries, a lot of unlucky injuries. We just try to every stone to see if there's something that we can improve."

• On Crystal Palace, Frank said: "I expect they will have a good season. They were impressive the way they finished last season. I think Oliver Glasner and his coaching team, the players and everyone did very well at Crystal Palace. I think it's clear to see what he wants. They look like they're very difficult to play against. I expect a difficult, tight game on Sunday. I think it's two even teams that will hopefully go toe-to-toe. I hope it will be entertaining for the fans. We will do what we can to attack and do what we can to win the game."

Look back at Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Our football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella has asked whether Brentford's "unbridled success" in data-first football can take them into Europe, so we wanted to get your thoughts.

Here are some of your comments:

Ken: Yes I think we can. In the 2022-23 season we were so close. We fear no-one and can beat anyone - we just need to avoid the injury crisis of last season.

Ian: Anything is possible in football. I would love to see Brentford play in a major European competition. The club is currently under shrewd stewardship. Brentford have travelled a fair distance in the English football pyramid over the past 15 years. I think that the European dream can be achieved in the next five years.

Arg: Maybe in a few years but this season most likely not. Brentford have been plagued with injuries and what I would say was bad luck. But last season proved that no matter what the game of football throws at them, they'll come out on top better than ever.

Charlie: Don't let a heavily injury-riddled team fool anyone. Brentford have what it takes to make European football as long as they can keep key players fit. They start this season with a much stronger squad.

Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Brentford?

Answer will be revealed on this page at 17:00 BST

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Denmark international centre-back Mathias 'Zanka' Jorgensen has left Brentford to Belgian side Anderlecht.

The 34-year-old spent three seasons with the Bees, scoring two goals in 48 appearances in all competitions.

"Zanka has been a valuable member of the squad, stepping in as and when needed, and contributing to some memorable wins along the way," said director of football Phil Giles.

"We feel like now was the right time for Zanka to take this next step so we can progress our younger centre-backs and look to the future."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford are winless in all six of their Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace (drawn five, lost one).

It is both the t-most the Bees have faced a side in the competition without ever winning (also six v Newcastle) and the t-most the Eagles have faced a side without ever losing (also six v QPR).

Nizaar Kinsella will be covering clubs on the London patch this season.

He says: "Brentford's innovative approach to data and recruitment has been an unbridled success but many inside the club believe they can achieve more.

"I'm interested to see if it is just hubris or a reality."

Could Brentford make Europe?

Have your say here, external

It's that time of the year again - the annual act of foolishness in which I try to predict the outcome of the 2024-25 season for all 20 Premier League clubs.

Brentford - 17th

The shadow of Ivan Toney's potential departure will hang over Brentford for the rest of this transfer window and there is no doubt it would damage the Bees in a big way if he leaves, especially after a cruel twist of fate in pre-season.

Brentford completed the club-record £30m g of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Club Bruges, perhaps in readiness for Toney's sale, only for him to be ruled out until near the end of the year, having required knee surgery after being injured in a friendly against AFC Wimbledon.

It makes a deal for Toney even more hazardous to contemplate but it may still happen with the England striker entering the final year of his contract.

Manager Thomas Frank continues to do a fine job but this may be his biggest test, although the £27.5m g of Liverpool's talented 21-year-old Fabio Carvalho will lift morale.

It makes Bryan Mbeumo's presence even more significant while the return after injury of experienced defender Ben Mee, who has signed a new one-year deal, will also be a boost.

Read all of Phil's predictions here

Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah have offered 28-year-old England striker Ivan Toney a yearly salary of £15.4m and a three-year deal in an attempt to entice him to leave Brentford. (Footmercato - in French), external

Wolves are looking at 27-year-old Brentford and Congo forward Yoanne Wissa as a potential attacking reinforcement. (Telegraph), external

Ipswich are poised to sign Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste on a season-long loan from Napoli after Brentford pulled out of a deal for the 25-year-old. (Gianluca Di Marzio - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup has been made.

Here is the list of the ties - which are split into southern and northern sections - involving Premier League clubs:

South

• AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich Town

• Brighton & Hove Albion v Crawley Town

• Birmingham City v Fulham

• Cardiff City v Southampton

• Colchester United v Brentford

• Crystal Palace v Norwich City

• West Ham United v Bournemouth

North

• Everton v Doncaster Rovers

• Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United

• Leicester City v Tranmere Rovers

• Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley

See the full draw

The games will take place in w/c 26 August.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Brentford FC

Brentford B youngsters Ashley Hay and Benjamin Arthur (pictured above) have revealed their journeys to being on the cusp of the Premier League.

Hay, signed from Hitchen Town aged 20 in January, said: "I was originally working at McDonald's and playing in a step five league for a club called Baldock Town.

"I was 17 at the time, having fun, enjoying myself, scoring goals. I worked my way up to step four while doing a plumbing apprenticeship, then up to step three with Hitchin Town.

"I got approached by Brentford for a trial. I was buzzing and wanted to keep going higher but never expected to go this far. It was a very big step up.

"I've had to work from nine to five, getting up early and training in the week [after work] so I never take anything for granted. I am very happy and blessed. I hope to go all the way to the top and play for the first team."

Arthur, 18, is a central defender with England youth international experience and has had a more straightforward journey since moving from Peterborough United.

He even made the first-team squad twice last season as a unused substitute against Arsenal and Swindon Town, but its he almost lost his dream about the age of 16.

He said: "Peterborough weren't sure about whether they were going to give me a scholarship.

"I was on the waiting list for a few months and that made me more hungry to make it professionally. I was looking at plan Bs and Cs if football didn't work out.

"I was 17 when I came here and signed from Peterborough after an England Under-18s call-up.

"I think the England call up got hype around my name and I was honoured that Brentford came in. I jumped at the opportunity."

Brentford B have entered the Under-21s leagues for the first time and are targeting immediate promotion. "I think we will bring home the title," added a confident Arthur.

The duo were speaking at an event in honour of Robert Rowan, the former Brentford technical director who died of a heart attack at the age of 28 in 2018.

The Bees continue to back research and awareness projects on heart conditions through the Heart of West London charity.

"It's an amazing foundation. It's interesting to see the work that’s going on," Arthur added. "The work people like Christian Eriksen have done has given exposure to heart problems and it can help people around the world."

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport football statistician

Brentford were the eighth-best side last season in of expected goals - which measures how well teams do the basics right of creating and limiting chances - but problems at both ends of the pitch saw them involved in a relegation battle.

Star striker Ivan Toney was missed in the first half of the season and did not quite have the impact many were hoping for on his return. Meanwhile goalkeeper Mark Flekken had a difficult first campaign, conceding around seven more goals than expected given the quality of chances he faced.

With Toney available from the start and Flekken hopefully more settled in his second season, if they can repeat what they did between the goals, then the Bees should not be buzzing near the bottom this time around.

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.

The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.

The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.

The key dates for the competition are as follows:

• Second round - w/c 26 August

• Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September

• Fourth round - w/c 28 October

• Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December

• Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February

• Final - 16 March

Follow Wednesday's action and then the full draw here from 19:30 BST

Brentford are holding out for at least £60m for 28-year-old striker Ivan Toney, who is being monitored by Chelsea and Manchester United. (Independent), external

Meanwhile, the Bees are closing in on a deal for 25-year-old Republic of Ireland centre-back Dara O'Shea, which will give Burnley a profit on the £7m they paid to sign him from West Bromwich Albion last year. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Brentford's fourth season in the Premier League is on the horizon and we feel like an established top-flight club.

Last season's 16th place was disappointing, but to stay out of the bottom three with our horrendous injury list was a huge achievement. I think we will build on that this term and finish 12th - but player fitness is again our big concern for the new season.

At one point last term we had 10 first-teamers sidelined, including full-backs Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey, who have each now been out for almost a year and are still unavailable,

Now new g Igor Thiago, earmarked as Ivan Toney's replacement, is out until Christmas after damaging his knee on his pre-season debut. This could lead to Toney staying for the final year of his contract.

Who is the best g or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

While the anticipation of seeing what Thiago can do is now on hold, our only other arrival is a real statement g - Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool, an exciting player who could make a real impact with the Bees.

He adds to a formidable forward line, even if it is without Thiago short-term and still possibly Toney, alongside Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade and Keane Lewis-Potter and that is why I think we will finish comfortably mid-table.

What do you want from your manager this season?

We have already got what we wanted from Thomas Frank - the fact he is still with us. Frank was linked with Chelsea and Manchester United over the summer, but thankfully nothing transpired.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

This could be a breakout season for Ukraine Under-21 international midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk. He was involved in the matchday squad for every league and cup game last season - starting seven matches and making 23 substitute appearances. He looked at home in the Premier League with his calmness on the ball and has huge potential.

Ian Westbrook can be found at Beesotted podcast, external