The 2024/25 Premier League season begins with a London derby for Brentford and Crystal Palace, who face each other at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Brentford are entering their fourth consecutive season in the English top flight, with innovator Thomas Frank still leading the Bees. However, last season they suffered their worst Premier League finish to date, finishing 16th and a little too close to relegation for their liking.
Brentford have spent no money this summer, transferring Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho to west London for big money, but Sunday’s opponents Palace have been far more focused on keeping hold of their best players than strengthening their squad over the past two months.
The Eagles have already lost Michael Olise, and Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen could be next to go. Provided they can keep the majority of their stars at Selhurst Park, Oliver Glasner’s side should have an exciting season ahead given their late climb up the Premier League table in 2023/24. It all starts with a trip to the capital.
Here is 90 minutes Brentford vs Crystal Palace guide.
Brentford vs. Crystal Palace – H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Brentford vs Crystal Palace on TV and live stream
News from Team Brentford
After spending £30m on Igor Thiago at the start of the transfer window, Brentford will now be without him for several months after he underwent knee surgery at the end of July. The Brazilian’s injury means Ivan Toney will once again be the Bees’ main goalscorer.
Brentford will continue to be without long-term injury victims Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva, but £22.5m new signing Carvalho could make his debut after joining from Liverpool.
Expected line-up for Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Brentford expected line-up against Crystal Palace (4-3-3): spots; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa.
News from the Crystal Palace team
After reaching the final of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with France, Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss the Premier League season opener. The Eagles will have to look for an alternative source of goals against Brentford.
Otherwise, Glasner can rely on a fully fit squad; new signings Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad and Ismaila Sarr are all likely to play in some capacity at Brentford.
Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Dean Henderson and Marc Guehi are all available with England after the Euro 2024 season, although the latter has been heavily linked with Newcastle United.
Crystal Palace expected line-up against Brentford (5-2-3):Henderson; Munoz, Andersen, Riad, Guehi, Mitchell; Wharton, Doucoure; Kamada, Edouard, Eze.
Result prediction for Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are certainly a team that could surprise some this season if they can maintain their form from the end of the 2023/24 season, but they have had an uncoordinated pre-season following international tournaments, so their start to the season could be slow.
It is unlikely to be an inspirational season for Brentford, with a continued lack of serious quality in defence and midfield. However, they can be difficult opponents on home soil and could snatch a draw when the Eagles visit.
