Table of Contents
Match Overview
- Teams: Brentford vs Crystal Palace
- Competition: Premier League 2024/25 Season Opener
- Date & Time: Sunday, August 18, 14:00 BST / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
- Location: Gtech Community Stadium, London, England
- Referee: Sam Barrott
- VAR: Peter Bankes
Team Form & Background
Brentford and Crystal Palace kick off their 2024/25 Premier League campaigns with a London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford, under the guidance of Thomas Frank, are entering their fourth consecutive top-flight season after a disappointing 16th-place finish last year.
The Bees have invested heavily in the summer, with Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago arriving to bolster the squad. However, Thiago is sidelined with a knee injury, adding to Brentford’s early season challenges.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, enjoyed a resurgence under Oliver Glasner.
They finished 10th last season, equaling their highest-ever Premier League points tally. The Eagles have focused on retaining key players despite losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich.
With an impressive end to the previous campaign, Palace will be eager to maintain momentum and secure a strong start. The match promises to be a closely contested battle between two ambitious London sides.
Team News & Injuries
Brentford will begin their Premier League campaign without record signing Igor Thiago, who is sidelined until the end of the year following knee surgery.
The Bees are also missing key players Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, and Josh Dasilva, all of whom are out with long-term injuries.
New addition Fabio Carvalho could make his debut, though he is likely to start on the bench as he adapts to his new surroundings.
Crystal Palace faces its own selection challenges. Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is unavailable due to his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, Matheus Franca is ruled out with a rib injury sustained in training.
On a positive note, recent signings Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, and Ismaila Sarr are in contention to feature, offering manager Oliver Glasner fresh options.
Meanwhile, defender Marc Guehi is expected to play despite ongoing transfer speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.
Predicted Lineups
For Brentford, Thomas Frank is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation as they take on Crystal Palace. Mark Flekken is likely to start in goal, with a backline consisting of Mads Roerslev, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, and Kristoffer Ajer. In midfield, Christian Norgaard, Vitaly Janelt, and Mathias Jensen are set to provide the engine room. The attacking trio will feature Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa flanking Ivan Toney, who will lead the line.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, may line up in a 5-2-3 formation. Dean Henderson is expected to start between the posts, with a defensive setup featuring Chris Richards, Joachim Andersen, and Marc Guehi, supported by full-backs Ruben Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell. In midfield, Adam Wharton and Cheick Doucoure will look to control the game. The attack is set to feature Daichi Kamada, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will carry the goal-scoring burden.
Key Match Facts
Brentford:
- The Bees dropped 30 points from winning positions during the 2023/24 season, more than any other Premier League team.
- Brentford have never lost an opening Premier League fixture, a record they will be keen to maintain.
- Manager Thomas Frank is on the cusp of his 100th league victory with Brentford, adding extra motivation for the team.
Crystal Palace:
- Crystal Palace are currently on a 12-match unbeaten run, including pre-season friendlies.
- The Eagles ended the 2023/24 season with six wins and one draw in their final seven Premier League matches, showcasing their strong form under Oliver Glasner.
- A win on Sunday would mark back-to-back opening-day victories for Palace, something they haven’t achieved since 2008.
Head-to-Head:
- Brentford are winless in their last seven league encounters against Crystal Palace, with five draws and two losses.
- The last time Brentford defeated Crystal Palace in a league match was in 1963.
- Crystal Palace’s last away victory at Brentford dates back to Christmas Day in 1957.
These stats highlight Brentford’s struggles against Palace and the importance of this fixture as both teams look to set the tone for their 2024/25 Premier League campaigns.
KN24 Prediction: Brentford 0 – Crystal Palace 0
