Brentford vs Crystal Palace Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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We have a London derby to kick off the first so-called Premier League ‘Super Sunday’ of the season as Brentford take on Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium with both clubs coming off the back of intriguing summer transfer windows.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 18th August, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network & Telemundo
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo, Sling Blue & DirecTV Stream
BRENTFORD PREVIEW: BEES LOOKING TO FIND THEIR BUZZ
Thomas Frank had been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in the early part of the summer but it became very clear that the Dane would be in charge of the Bees quite early on so the west Londoners have been allowed to prepare well for a season that is still in a bit of flux with uncertainty about players off the pitch.
The key decision and piece of business this summer is the future of Ivan Toney. Both player and club have been open about the likelihood of the England international leaving this summer but he remains at the club and could actually be important at the start of this season with new signing Igor Thiago suffering an injury that will leave him unavailable until the New Year.
CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW: THE SOARING EAGLES OF LAST SEASON
In late-February, Crystal Palace replaced former Watford boss Roy Hodgson with Oliver Glasner and the man who won the 2022 UEFA Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt cultivated an extremely impressive style of football that saw the Eagles propel themselves into the top-half by the end of the season.
The summer has been dominated by talk of outgoings, though. Michael Olise left early for Bayern Munich but it would be a major surprise for him to be their only departure with the likes of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze and even Jean-Philippe Mateta the subject of transfer rumours and interest.
BRENTFORD TEAM NEWS: TONEY OR NOT TONEY
Thomas Frank has confirmed that England international striker Ivan Toney is available for selection this weekend, despite not starting their final pre-season game and the continued speculation surrounding his future with a couple of weeks of the window to go.
Former Club Brugge striker Igor Thiago has suffered a serious injury that will see him sidelined for some time, whilst both Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry remain unavailable but are nearing returns from their long-term absences.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Janelt, Wissa; Toney
UNAVAILABLE: Hickey (Injured), Henry (Injured), Dasilva (Injured), Igor Thiago (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CRYSTAL PALACE TEAM NEWS: STRONG DESPITE SPECULATION
Oliver Glasner cannot wait for the transfer window to close with plenty of his players still rumoured to be exiting the club but with only Michael Olise departing, the Crystal Palace side continues to look very strong.
He will be without Brazilian winger Matheus Franca, who is unavailable due to injury, but England international Marc Guehi is expected to play, despite the rumoured interest from Newcastle United.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Andersen, Riad, Guehi; Daniel Munoz, Doucoure, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
UNAVAILABLE: Matheus Franca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BRENTFORD VS CRYSTAL PALACE PREDICTION
This one is an intriguing clash because if we are to go off the second-half of last season then Crystal Palace will dominate this game. Brentford will be better this season with Thomas Frank able to welcome back some key players after an injury ravaged previous campaign but Palace have only let go one of their key players so far this summer and they should therefore be able to generally pick up where they left off with an opening day victory.
BRENTFORD VS CRYSTAL PALACE TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – CRYSTAL PALACE TO WIN OR DRAW
