Brentford predictions: Plenty of buzz around overachieving Bees
- Brentford enjoyed their best league finish since 1938 last season
- Ivan Toney is suspended for the Bees until January
- Recommended bet: Brentford Top-10 Finish
In just their second ever season in the Premier League, Brentford defied expectations to finish ninth last campaign and will be looking for more of the same in the 2023-24 season.
Thomas Frank has done a remarkable job in charge of the Bees and another season of consolidation could await them.
Last season
Considered one of the most awkward opponents to come up against in the top flight, Brentford raised plenty of eyebrows with their ninth-placed finish last season.
The Bees were particularly impressive either side of the Qatar World Cup, stringing together a 12-match unbeaten run between October and March.
At that stage it looked as though European qualification was a possibility but they failed to maintain that level of intensity.
Nonetheless, the Bees stayed clear of danger thanks to plenty of heart, their tactically flexible coach and a return of 20 league goals from striker Ivan Toney.
They were also the only side to do the double over treble-winners Manchester City.
The manager
Brentford can have few complaints about the work done by head coach Frank in the last few years.
The Dane took charge of the Bees back in 2018, initially securing promotion from the Championship to the top flight before guiding the club to 13th spot in their maiden Premier League campaign.
In May this year, Frank celebrated his 100th win in charge of the club and he remains one of the most likeable and tactically astute managers in the division.
Transfers
Brentford have been one of the busier clubs when it comes to transfers this summer.
Defender Nathan Collins has arrived from Wolves for £23million, while Freiburg forward Kevin Schade has made his loan deal with the club permanent.
The Bees have also drafted in goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg and he is expected to either replace or compete with existing stopper David Raya, whose future at the club remains uncertain.
Strengths and weaknesses
Having beaten Manchester City twice, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham in the league last season, there is no doubting that a huge strength of this Brentford team is their mentality.
That stems from manager Frank, who has also made the Bees a tactically flexible side capable of switching between three, four and five at the back.
Going forwards, Bryan Mbeumo is an exciting player to watch and he contributed nine goals and eight assists in the top flight last term, although the absence of Toney, who is suspended until January, is a big blow.
Best outright bet
It will not be easy bettering last season's finish given Toney's absence and the quality of sides above them, but Brentford nonetheless represent value to secure a top-10 finish.
They suffered only nine league defeats last season – an extraordinary achievement for a club playing only their second term in the top flight – and Mbeumo has shown enough to suggest he can step up to the plate with no Toney in the side.
Frank is a fine manager and the Bees demonstrated they can mix it with the best last term, so they should once again steer clear of relegation but fall short of European football.
