This will be Brentford's fifth season as a Premier League club but, after a summer of upheaval in West London, many are forecasting the Bees' stay in the top division might be about to come to an end.
What are Brentford's confirmed transfers?
Brentford's arrivals
- Jordan Henderson: Ajax - free transfer.
- Caoimhín Kelleher: Liverpool - £12.5 million.
- Antoni Milambo: Feyenoord - £16 million.
- Michael Kayode: Fiorentina - £17.5 million (loan made permanent).
Brentford's departures
- Bryan Mbeumo: Manchester United - £71 million.
- Christian Nørgaard: Arsenal - £11 million.
- Mark Flekken: £8 million.
- Ben Mee: free agent - free transfer.
- Kim Ji-soo: Kaiserslautern - loan.
Pleased note: all information is correct as of the date of publication.
What happened at Brentford last season?
Brentford finished tenth in the Premier League last season, their second-highest top flight finish since 1938, only surpassed by the ninth-place finish achieved in 2022/23. By winning four straight matches in late-April and into early-May, Thomas Frank's team appeared set to gatecrash the European spots, but ultimately just missed out on a first-ever continental tour.
As the Premier League's smallest club, with the division's second-lowest wage bill last season, the Bees have done phenomenally well to consistently punch above their weight. However, stability on the pitch as well as in the dugout and the boardroom have been key to this, but are large cracks starting to appear?
How will Brentford do this season?
Wthout wanting to go full cliché; you have to fear for Brentford, you really do. Thomas Frank's departure, after nigh on a decade on the coaching staff, leaves an enormous void, making it a huge risk that Keith Andrews has been appointed, with this his first ever head coach role, having been the set-piece coach at the club.
In terms of players too, captain Christian Nørgaard and talismanic forward Bryan Mbeumo have already departed, while the latter's usual strike partner Yoane Wissa is also seemingly itching for a move away. In goal, Caoimhín Kelleher may well prove to be an upgrade on Mark Flekken, so that's one positive.
Jordan Henderson has arrived to add some much-needed expirence; whether he is still a high level contributor remains to be seen. Given the aforementioned departures, the Bees will need new winger Antoni Milambo to hit the ground running, and certainly require more from club-record signing Igor Thiago, who saw just 169 minutes of action due to an injury-blighted first campaign in West London.
In summary, it's a big ask for Andrews to guide Brentford to safety, taking charge of a squad that has been decimated in the transfer market, so the Bees stay in the Premier League could be coming to an end.
What is our predicted Premier League finish for Brentford?
- Our predicted finish for Brentford in the Premier League this season: 19th.
What are Brentford's first 6 Premier League fixtures?
- Nottingham Forest (A). Sunday 17 August. Kick off 14:00 (BST).
- Aston Villa (H). Saturday 23 August. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Sunderland (A). Saturday 30 August. Kick off 15:00 (BST).
- Chelsea (H). Saturday 13 September. Kick off 20:00 (BST).
- Fulham (A). Saturday 20 September. Kick off 20:00 (BST).
- Manchester United (H). Saturday 27 September. Kick off 12:30 (BST).
What are some other key dates for Brentford supporters?
- 13 August: Carabao Cup second round draw - taking place around 22:30 (BST).
- 1 September: The transfer window closes at 19:00 (BST).