Brentford

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  1. Follow Sunday's Premier League finale livepublished at 14:13 BST 24 May

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    It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-off times 16:00 BST

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

    Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

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  2. Who qualifies for the Europa League?published at 08:14 BST 24 May

    Jonty Colman
    BBC Sport journalist

    Ask Me Anything banner - John McGinn holding Europa League trophy

    Bournemouth have already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, meaning they will either qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.

    At present, sixth and seventh will qualify for Uefa's second-tier competition because of Manchester City winning the FA Cup and England winning one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS).

    If English clubs get six Champions League spots, they will lose a Europa League spot in exchange. That would mean only seventh place would qualify for the Europa League.

    Brighton are currently seventh and have a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford, the two teams directly below them.

    A win for the Seagulls would guarantee them Europa League football at least.

    If Brighton fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

    Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Anfield.

    Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven. For that to happen, they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.

    What about Conference League qualification?

    It is a similar story in qualification for the one place available for the play-off qualifying round of next season's Conference League.

    Chelsea are in eighth and currently possess that available spot. Eighth place qualifies for the Conference League because of City winning the EFL Cup and the EPS to an English club.

    Chelsea will secure European football in at least the Conference League with a win over Sunderland.

    Brentford will secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea's result.

    Sunderland in 10th would leapfrog both if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.

  3. Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Brentfordpublished at 17:04 BST 23 May

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    Will Mohamed Salah get any minutes and the chance to say goodbye to the Liverpool fans after his ridiculous attack on Arne Slot's playing style?

    Salah knows the implications of what he has said, about how Liverpool must return to being a "heavy metal attacking team" and he is trying to bury Slot.

    People might say Salah is right, but it still leaves a very sour taste. Slot is still in a job, and Liverpool are still trying to secure a top-five finish. Doing this makes life even more difficult for Slot.

    It is a tricky enough game anyway - Brentford have had a great season under Keith Andrews and they beat Liverpool in the reverse fixture back in October.

    The Bees are still in the mix for the European places and it really wouldn't surprise me if they won this, but Liverpool only need a point to finish fifth, and I think they will get it.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-2

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  4. Liverpool v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:05 BST 23 May

    Prudent Nsengiyumva
    BBC Sport journalist

    Liverpool and Brentford head into the final day with different targets but the same sense of unfinished business. Liverpool have all-but secured a Champions League return but want to end a turbulent season on a positive note, while Brentford still have the chance to turn a solid campaign into something more memorable.

    Liverpool looking for a steadier finish

    Liverpool's season has rarely settled into a rhythm, and much of the conversation around Anfield this week has centred on Mohamed Salah's comments about the team's identity, sparking debate among supporters and adding to a season already full of scrutiny.

    Many saw his remarks as a veiled dig at Arne Slot, and there has even been discussion over whether he should start in what will be his final match for the club — though leaving out such an iconic figure would be a high stakes call given his standing with the fanbase.

    On the pitch, consistency has been hard to find. Liverpool have been vulnerable in tight moments and have too often let games slip after working their way back into them.

    A graphic showing eight times Liverpool equalised and still lost the game in the Premier League this season 2025-26

    Yet the final day has traditionally brought results. They haven't lost their last league match since 2014 and are unbeaten in 18 when ending a season at home.

    Arne Slot's side remain on course for a top five finish, which would secure Champions League football, and they would even climb into the top four if they win and Aston Villa lose.

    At 34, Virgil van Dijk is set to become the oldest outfield player to play every minute of a Premier League season — a rare constant in a turbulent year.

    Brentford eyeing a European push

    Brentford face a daunting trip to Anfield but travel with confidence and a clear sense of progress.

    Keith Andrews' side have lost only twice in their last nine league matches and remain in the mix for a European place — an impressive position for a team that had to rebuild after losing key players and even their manager last summer.

    Draws have been their frustration. Last weekend's 2–2 with Crystal Palace was another prime example, and it may yet prove costly in the race for Europe.

    However, their 3–2 win over Liverpool earlier in the season offers encouragement, even if their record at Anfield is far less favourable.

    The Bees haven't scored there in six successive league visits.

    Much of their threat rests on Igor Thiago, who has contributed 41% of their league goals. The Brazilian will again be the focal point as Brentford look to end the season on a high.

    A graphic showing Brentford's goal shares with Igor Thiago scoring 22 in the Premier League this season 2025-26
  5. Tuchel names 2026 World Cup squadpublished at 10:17 BST 22 May

    BBC Graphic - 2026 World Cup - squad announcement 
Goalkeepers
JORDAN PICKFORD
DEAN HENDERSON
JAMES TRAFFORD
Defenders
REECE JAMES
TINO LIVRAMENTO
MARC GUEHI
EZRI KONSA
JOHN STONES
JARELL QUANSAH
NICO O'REILLY
DAN BURN
DJED SPENCE
Midfielders
DECLAN RICE
ELLIOT ANDERSON
JUDE BELLINGHAM
JORDAN HENDERSON
MORGAN ROGERS
KOBBIE MAΙΝΟΟ
Forwards
HARRY KANE
IVAN TONEY
OLLIE WATKINS
BUKAYO SAKA
NONI MADUEKE
MARCUS RASHFORD
ANTHONY GORDON
EBERECHI EZE

    Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad to represent England at the 2026 World Cup hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States:

    Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

    Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen - loan), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

    Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

    Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona - loan), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

    Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Josh King (Fulham) and Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) will also be part of the Three Lions' pre-tournament squad in Florida when they face New Zealand and Costa Rica.

    The England boss added that one more player will also join his squad in Florida, but did not name the individual.

    Tuchel said Bournemouth's Scott had an "outstanding" reaction to not being named in the 26-man squad.

    "The commitment, the wish to be in pre-camp and just be a step closer to the team, was not even a question to him. This showed me his character and spirit. He gets a chance to take a step closer and to get a cap," added Tuchel.

    Tuchel on his 26-man squad: "An exciting day for me and I think for everyone selected. From day one we were very clear that we were trying to build and select the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect 26 of the most talented players. Teams win championships – it is as simple as that.

    "What we're trying to achieve in the summer can only be achieved as a team. That in mind, we chose a very balanced squad. We chose three goalkeepers, plus Jason Steele (as training goalkeeper). I want to take the opportunity, and thank Jason for being brilliant, and thank Brighton for being so cooperative.

    "We chose nine defenders for four positions, we chose seven midfielders for three positions, and we chose seven strikers for three positions.

    "I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100% committed players with us. Who know their role, who are ready to buy into their role on and off the pitch and who are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish."

    Follow reaction to Tuchel's England squad announcement here

  6. 'We have big ambitions as a group'published at 09:51 BST 22 May

    Igor Thiago of Brentford celebrates with his team-mates and Keith AndrewsImage source, Getty Images

    It may have been an "unreal" season for the Bees, but with a possible European schedule on the horizon, "the mission is not finished", says Keith Andrews.

    Bees captain Nathan Collins told BBC Radio London at Brentford's awards night that the "club is built on stability, good backroom staff and a good base". He added: "It doesn't matter who comes and goes – we know what Brentford are."

    Since their promotion in 2021 with Thomas Frank, Brentford have firmly established themselves in the top flight, and they could now become another team to break into European football.

    Brentford's underdog story has helped encapsulate their ethos, from fighting for a place in the Premier League to becoming a well-established side in the top flight.

    Josh Dasilva, who featured in the Championship for Brentford, said: "I don't think many people would have thought we would be where we are now. The aim is to build on that."

    A player who has had an insight into winning trophies and European football is Caoimhin Kelleher.

    The ex-Liverpool goalkeeper joined Andrews' ranks in the summer of 2025 and immediately became Brentford's number one.

    "When Brentford came up, the move for myself had to be the right club. Soon as you come in, you have a good feel of what a good club it is and how well run it is," said Kelleher.

    "Personalities we have in the staff and squad – we want to strive for a lot. We have big ambitions as a group."

  7. Andrews on team news, possibility of Europe and Thiago's futurepublished at 19:07 BST 21 May

    George Booth
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 16:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Andrews confirmed they are "in a good place" with player fitness: "We've had a good couple of weeks. The end of season feels naturally coming to a close. Injury-wise, it is the same as last week in terms of availability."

    • On possibility of qualifying for Europe: "It would make it a remarkable season considering where we started from. To navigate through the season and come out towards the end and to have that potential outcome [European football] is pretty special."

    • Asked about Igor Thiago's future at the club, he responded: "I will get badgered for that throughout July and August. I don't think it is right to be discussing that. I think it is right to be discussing what a season he has had and what a summer he is going to have."

    • On beating Liverpool 3-2 earlier in the campaign: "It was a big game for us, for sure. To beat the defending champions at that stage of the season was a huge performance and result. You have got to take the blows as the nature of the game on Sunday will be slightly different."

    • With Jordan Henderson facing his former side, Andrews said: "He has been very good for us. He has settled into life back in the Premier League when maybe some people doubted he could do that at the age he is. His professionalism is the best I have ever seen in terms of how he prepares for games."

    • On learning throughout the season: "The blows, the disappointment, the choppy waters in the first few months of the season, things just settling, the transfer window was difficult. You are constantly learning about that and yourself, how you deal with people, how I speak to you [media] guys and trying to balance that. It is the constant learning. You have got to learn fast."

    • On what needs to happen over the summer: "There will probably be a little bit of a plan A and plan B scenario where the league position dictates. In general terms, we try to add the right type of player into the equation that will supplement the squad. Jannik [Schuster] fits that really well. He's had a really good season at [Red Bull] Salzburg. I can see the hunger in him to do well, and I have no doubt that he will prove to be a good signing."

    Got a question about Brentford? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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  8. 'Brazil's number nine is playing for Brentford' - Andrewspublished at 12:04 BST 21 May

    Igor Thiago celebrates scoring for Brazil Image source, Getty Images

    At the end of the 2024-25 campaign, it may have been hard to imagine that Brentford's record £30m signing would go on to be Brazil's number nine at the 2026 World Cup.

    But, after an emphatic goal-scoring season, that's the position Igor Thiago now finds himself in.

    Although Thiago arrived at the Gtech Stadium in fine form, having scored 18 goals in 34 Belgian league matches during Bruges' title-winning campaign, the Brazil forward was unable to replicate that in his debut Premier League season.

    However, the 24-year-old has proved his worth in his second campaign, notching up 26 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions.

    Thiago has scored 41% of the Bees' Premier League goals this term (22 out of 54), currently the highest share by a player in a single campaign since Harry Kane in 2022-23 (43% for Spurs – 30 out of 70).

    "It has been really special, not only for me but for all of us," Thiago told BBC Radio London.

    The Bees' number nine also picked up two personal accolades at Brentford's end-of-season awards night, as he was crowned the supporters' player of the year and players' player of the year.

    "It has been an incredible season. It was something we had dreamed at the beginning of the season. We are close to what we always dreamt for this club."

    Keith Andrews said Thiago's World Cup call-up was "really special" and that it's a "'wow' thing to say Brazil's number nine is playing for Brentford."

    With one game to go in the Bees' season, they will be firmly focused on picking up more points in their bid for European football.

    "Liverpool will have their own agenda. We have our own mission that we would like to finish," added Andrews.

  9. 'Lofty ambitions' underpin Brentford academy set-uppublished at 15:56 BST 20 May

    David Rainford playing for Chelmsford City in 2011Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Rainford was a midfielder with over 100 appearances in the higher tiers of non-league and lower tiers of EFL football, playing for Colchester United, Slough Town and Dagenham and Redbridge, among others

    David Rainford has only been in his academy director role at Brentford for a few months but is inheriting a significant remit: to emulate first-team success at youth level.

    The Bees famously had a B team, which still exists, instead of an academy.

    However, they have since built a more traditional set-up, becoming the fastest club to move from a category four academy to the highest category one status to compete against the biggest sides in England at youth level.

    Speaking at the annual Robert Rowan Invitational — a charity match which Brentford lost 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in front of hundreds of fans at the Gtech Community Stadium — Rainford outlined his vision for the future.

    On joining from the Premier League's EPPP programme: "I've been at the Premier League for nearly 10 years and was a big part of shaping the Elite Player Performance Plan — the modern framework that supports the academy system today. I also played with our B-team coach Sam Saunders and against Keith Andrews during my playing career."

    Asked why he joined Brentford, Rainford said: "I saw their lofty ambitions to reach category one in record time. That's another example of how this club is unique. When they set their minds to something, they are creative, courageous and bold with their ambitions. For me, that opportunity — to come and lead at such an exciting time — was very attractive. With that infrastructure and support behind us, we can achieve some really positive things moving forward."

    On competing with clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal for London's best young players: "People should choose where they feel comfortable. There is always competition, and that's true.

    "We also have a uniqueness that can help us become a very productive academy. The young people here will feel seen, and our staff will provide a strong sense of connection."

    On how the B team works alongside the under-21s: "Moving into category one status, the B team and under-21s will co-exist. Some games will be B-team fixtures, others under-21 matches, but the key thing is alignment.

    "There is alignment and connection throughout the club — the academy matters to everyone. Technical Director Lee Dykes and first-team coach Keith Andrews will be here. We also have former under-21 and youth development coaches on the first-team staff."

    On the need to produce homegrown players: "Brentford already has a strong track record of developing players, even if not always through the academy. Many have arrived relatively unknown and gone on to become top-level players, representing England.

    "It's a long-term process, but hopefully some of them will be playing at the Gtech in the years to come."

  10. 'Not qualifying for Europe would not be failure'published at 11:32 BST 19 May

    Ian Westbrook
    Fan writer

    Brentford fan's voice banner
    Keith Andrews pats Caoimhin Kelleher on the back of his head as other Brentford players look disappointed in the backgroundImage source, Getty Images

    Does anyone want to grab that final European spot for next season?

    That was what we asked at the end of Sunday's frustrating 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, when once again we stayed in the top eight despite not winning.

    Week after week recently we've been dropping points - and in any other season we would surely have slipped into the bottom half of the table by now.

    But, incredibly, our rivals to qualify for Europe also keep slipping up and it's still "up for grabs now" at Anfield on Sunday.

    Brentford have been in the top eight in the table for all but two weeks since beating Bournemouth 4-1 on 27 December and we were seventh for most of that time.

    Only Chelsea of our direct rivals for Europe can boast a similar record but, despite that, our run of one win and seven draws in our past 10 games could ultimately cost us.

    I hope people don't see it as failure if we don't qualify for Europe. It would definitely be a missed opportunity, but a top-half Premier League finish for the third time in five seasons, if we do it, would be success.

    At least our fate is largely in our own hands - with Chelsea the only problem, as if they beat both Spurs on Tuesday and Sunderland on Sunday they would leapfrog us into the top eight, barring an unlikely goal difference swing.

    A Blues slip-up, however, makes the permutation simple - beat Liverpool and we can dust off our passports.

    It is easier said than done, though.

    The atmosphere should be electric and emotional for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson's farewells, and I've never seen us score at Anfield in six losing visits - four in the Premier League and two in cups.

    With such a big prize at stake, there would be no better time to end that record.

    Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

  11. Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:11 BST 18 May

    Your opinions graphic

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    We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brentford and Crystal Palace. Here are some of your comments:

    Brentford fans

    Neel: On that showing, we are not ready for Europe. I'm incredibly proud of how the season has played out and we need more fight, desire and quality before we progress to bigger things. Today was frankly, "meh"! Well done Bees and let's keep developing.

    Nige: Obvious where the Bees need strengthening. We were poor. Second to most second balls by a yard, with no anticipation, as we often are. We concede goals from mistakes, and only really attack in the last 10 minutes - and rarely convert. Glaring misses. We need more up front. Hendo made a difference. Thiago misses too many chances. Three or four better additions and we'll do well next year.

    Dave: Worst performance of the season - lethargic- just awful, awful awful.

    Giles: A lesson in how to salvage a point while being thoroughly outplayed.

    Crystal Palace fans

    Les: An entertaining match but from a Palace view, it was two points dropped. Ref missed a blatant penalty call. Worrying injuries are of concern. Overall, Brentford had a fair proportion of the spoils and it could have gone either way.

    Steve: Two halves of such contrasting football quality. From dominating in the first half, when Palace played some excellent football, to hanging on after re-taking the lead in the second. Wharton's goal was very welcome after such a long barren period. Palace should have pushed for a third to put the game to bed. Somehow, it seemed inevitable Brentford would equalise. Hopefully Richards and Lacroix are not too badly injured. Just recently, the defence has been leaking far too many goals. We need them fit and on their very best form for the final.

    Colin: We clearly had a good game but picked up too many injuries. Focus is on Leipzig.

    Al: Another game where we dominate a half and waste chances and then defend too deep and invite the opposition to overwhelm us. Disappointing result, two points dropped. Wharton finally scores, which is as rare as hen's teeth! Riad injury is disappointing. Glasner please rest the squad against Arsenal so they are fit for Leipzig.

  12. Analysis: Bees stumbling despite late levellerpublished at 17:38 BST 17 May

    Matthew Howarth
    BBC Sport journalist

    Dango Ouattara scores a late header for Brentford against Crystal Palace.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Dango Ouattara's late header earned Brentford a point at home to Crystal Palace

    Brentford remain firmly in contention to secure a place in continental competition for the first time in their history, but Keith Andrews' side are stumbling towards the finishing line.

    They have won only one of their past nine games - against struggling West Ham two weeks ago - and face a difficult trip to Anfield on the final day of the season.

    The Bees will drop to ninth on Tuesday if Chelsea win their game in hand on their west London rivals - against struggling Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

    Having scored from their only attempt on target in the first half, Brentford looked on course for a limp defeat until a flurry of opportunities late in the match.

    Keane Lewis-Potter curled a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area, while Dean Henderson produced a fine stop to deny Dango Ouattara - before being beaten by the Burkina Faso forward's second of the game in the 88th minute.

    Brentford could even have snatched all three points in stoppage time, but top scorer Igor Thiago blazed over the crossbar from close range before Sepp van den Berg headed off target following a corner.

  13. Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace: What Andrews saidpublished at 17:28 BST 17 May

    Media caption,

    Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a difficult game. They were the better team in the first half. We were not quite right in certain areas. Second half I thought we were the better team and deserve to win. We went absolutely to the end. we emptied ourselves, played with personality and I just have immense pride.

    "I didn't feel it [any tension in the players tension around Europe]. The focus has been amazing, the personality we speak about playing with was there in abundance. We played a very well organised team, with a wealth of attacking options, it was never going to be an easy game. Unfortunately, we didn't quite hit our levels today, especially in that first half."

    On the race for Europe: "I haven't had time to look at the table. We only focus on ourselves.

    "I've seen it all season, in the way we train, the habits we have day to day. The character is there in abundance and it will be there next weekend [in the final league game against Liverpool].

    "I knew it was a special group, that was the most exciting part of getting the job. We have earned the right to be where we are. A really special group."

    Did you know?

    • Six of Brentford's Premier League goals this season have come via throw-ins, more than any other side, with Stoke City in 2008-09 the last side to benefit from more in a top-flight campaign (nine).

    • Brentford have won just two of their 12 Premier League London derbies this season, with no side enjoying fewer victories, while the Bees have won just five of their last 31 top-flight metropolitan clashes (D10 L16).

  14. Brentford v Crystal Palace: Team newspublished at 14:12 BST 17 May

    Brentford team.

    Keith Andrews make two changes to the Brentford team that lost at Manchester City in their last game.

    Vitaly Janelt and Dango Ouattara come back into the side, with Aaron Hickey and Kevin Schade dropping to the bench.

    Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Ouattara, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Jensen, Damsgaard, Igor Thiago

    Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Schade, Dasilva, Nelson, Furo

    Oliver Glasner makes five alterations to the Crystal Palace team that started their last game – also against Manchester City.

    In come Chadi Riad, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Ismaila Sarr.

    Chris Richards, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Brennan Johnson, Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are all named among the substitutes.

    Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Riad, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Strand Larsen

    Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Johnson, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Richards, Guessand, Devenny

    Crystal Palace team.
  15. Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:21 BST 17 May

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    There are six games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-offs 15:00 unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v West Ham", for instance.

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  16. Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Crystal Palacepublished at 11:01 BST 17 May

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    Crystal Palace are going to keep on prioritising the Europa Conference League - their manager Oliver Glasner has already been talking about it.

    So even if Glasner does not start with an obviously weakened line-up, he is managing the minutes for his players and everything is being done with an eye on the game with Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 27 May.

    In contrast, Brentford's focus is on their league position and making it into Europe for the first time in their history.

    Because of all that, I am backing Brentford here. Palace beat the Bees at Selhurst Park in November, but they are not getting anything on Sunday.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  17. Brentford v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 07:49 BST 16 May

    Prudent Nsengiyumva
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brentford and Crystal Palace meet at the Gtech Community on Sunday afternoon (15:00 BST). The Bees are charging toward an unlikely Champions League finish, while Palace's focus is fixed firmly on a looming European final.

    Bees buzzing toward Europe

    Back in August, many pundits had Brentford tipped for relegation.

    They'd lost their transformative head coach Thomas Frank to Spurs and key figures like captain Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.

    Yet here they are, chasing European football. Talk about defying expectations.

    That resilience has defined their season.

    Brentford haven't always been slick, but they've been stubborn.

    At home, especially, they've rediscovered their gritty edge — just two defeats in their last 14 league matches at the Gtech.

    Keith Edwards' side have also kept Palace quiet here for decades, unbeaten in their last six home league meetings.

    This isn't a team that overwhelms opponents with chances.

    But when they do fall, Igor Thiago has been ruthless — only Erling Haaland has scored more than two goals in more league games this season than his six.

    A table showing five teams chasing European football in the Premier League this season (2025-26)

    Are the Eagles already looking to Leipzig?

    Crystal Palace's season looked like it might unravel when Oliver Glasner announced in January he would leave at the end of the campaign.

    But the turbulence has eased, the squad has steadied, and Palace now stand on the brink of something far more historic— the chance to lift a European trophy just three days after the Premier League season concludes.

    In any other year, sitting 15th would cause concern.

    But the Eagles are safe, well clear of relegation — and with European final in Leipzig calling, their priorities have shifted.

    Their flat performance in a 3–0 defeat at the Etihad was another sign of a side saving its energy for something far bigger.

    Palace still carry threat though, and the numbers prove it.

    They've won six of their last nine Premier League London derbies away from home (D2 L1).

    After victories at Fulham and Spurs, they're chasing a third straight away win in the capital in a top flight season — something they've never achieved.

    Jean Philippe Mateta has driven that charge, scoring 11 goals in London derbies.

    A graphic shoowing Crystal Palace's record in the last 11 away London Derbies (all competitions)
  18. Skiing background helped Schuster to Brentfordpublished at 12:38 BST 15 May

    Nizaar Kinsella
    Football reporter

    Jannik Schuster on the pitch for RB SalzburgImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Schuster has made just 30 appearances at Salzburg but played in their second team in the Austrian second tier a further 39 times

    Brentford's new defender Jannik Schuster is steeped in sporting excellence – just not in the sport you might expect.

    His older brother Jonas has won World Championship and Olympic medals in ski jumping at youth level, following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather.

    From Tirol, a renowned skiing region of Austria, Schuster learned from his high-performance sporting family but chose a different path when he joined RB Salzburg at under-14 level.

    It was there that the 6ft 3in centre-back used that mentality to develop through the youth ranks into a well-rounded player.

    Schuster can play on either side of central defence and possesses good pace and aerial ability. He also captained the youth team to the Uefa Youth League semi-finals in 2025.

    He joins Brentford for an initial £14m, with a further £3m in add-ons, after attracting interest from several European clubs during a breakthrough season in which he featured in Europe, including facing Aston Villa in the early stages of the Europa League.

    "I think it is the best developing club in the world and every conversation I had made me confident about it," he said after signing a contract until 2031, with the club holding an option for a further year.

    It makes sense for Brentford to add a young defender, with more experienced options such as Nathan Collins and Kristoffer Ajer competing for starting places.

    "I really like him as a young man; he's determined to maximise his potential," head coach Keith Andrews said. "He's going to fit in well with the first-team squad."