Key events
I mentioned Wharton, so let's think about him. I mentioned it during the Euros, but I have a strong feeling that England's best midfield is him, Mainoo, Bellingham, and an even stronger feeling that he is the only player in the team capable of properly filling the role of a modern number six. As much as Palace want to keep him, I – and they, I imagine – expect an auction next summer, with a lot of rich guys involved.
So where is the game? Palace will look for Adam Wharton to dictate play, taking the ball away from the back three and distributing it (I really like what I’ve seen from Munoz down the right). Then Eze and Kamada will float around, looking to attack the space between the midfield three and Brentford’s back four, while Mateta will look to push the defence back, opening up spaces for them to strike.
On the other hand, Brentford will look to crowd the central areas and have Schade and Mbuemo look for space behind the full-backs and to the sides of the centre-backs, while Roerslev and Ajer will look to find space on the wings to provide Wissa with crosses. They will likely bypass the midfield, while Palace will look to play through there.
Of course, Brentford's record signing Igor Thiago (they did the deal in February) is unavailable, having suffered a meniscus fracture in a friendly. I'm afraid we won't see him in 2024, but imagine the fury with which he'll play once he's finally on the field.
What I like about Palace's lineup It's the way their aspects serve each other. Eze and Kamada have free roles, but can drop into midfield to turn the two centre-backs into three; a centre-back can move forward in midfield and fulfil the same function; the full-backs can provide width in attack because if a midfielder sits back, it still leaves a back four; and they have scope to create space on the wings or in the centre.
As for the Palace, Mateta is back despite having finished last season just a week ago. Watching him lately, I've been reminded a bit of Louis Saha, as both are versatile centre-forwards capable of taking curling free kicks, occupying two centre-backs and scoring all kinds of goals.
Behind him, Daichi Kamada takes Olise's place (Sarr is on the bench) while Guehi occupies his left centre-back position despite Newcastle's efforts to sign him.
I like Frank; It's easy to see why players love him. And if you look at his starting XI, he plays with four defenders today, against the best teams. Brentford Often players go with three players, and Toney aside, the line-up is as expected. I think Carvalho is a really good signing and I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops; Frank said we should see him later in the game.
Ivan Toney is out amid transfer interest
Ah, here is Thomas Frank. He is happy because it is a new season, the sun is shining and he is excited. Explains that due to the transfer interest, Ivan Toney is not playing – he knew this on Friday, but he did not want to reveal anything and added that there is no signing in the offing.
Fabio Carvalho, on the other hand, is on the bench because he has just arrived and there were already good players at the club, but he has shown things in training.
Otherwise, Brentford They were unlucky with injuries last season; previously they had done a very good job of balancing hard training with reliable availability.
Finally, Palace are well structured in their 3-4-3 and need their players to be brave and get behind them; “Basically, I can't wait.”
I'm going to write this, Then we will think about what they mean.
Teams!
Brentford (4-3-3-): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbuemo, Wissa, Schade. Subs: Valdimarsson, Carvalho, Onyeka, Mee, Yarmolyuk, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Trevitt.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Andersen, Guehi; Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Mateta. Subs: Johnstone, Sarr, Lerma, Ayew, Schlupp, Clyne, Edouard, Doucoure, Riad.
Referee:Sam Barrott (West Riding)
Preamble
There are games that have no relation to the events that occur at either end of the game. Premier League – this is one – that you can be almost certain will reflect the best of the Premier League – and again, this is one.
Brentford are a fantastic team, aggressive, with attitude and built in the image of Thomas Frank: they can win a game or they can lose it, but either way their opponents will have to suffer. And that's not just because they are physical, although they are, but because they are skilful, intelligent and nasty; they will be ready for this.
The same goes for Palace, who finished last season in fantastic form thanks to the immediate impact of Oliver Glasner. And, although they have lost Michael Olise, they have (so far) retained Marc Guéhi and Eberechi Eze, while Ismaïla Sarr looks a smart acquisition and Jean-Philippe Mateta is now an Olympic champion.
That is to say, it seems that we are in for a fast and intense competition, in which two intelligent and progressive coaches will send their teams to face each other, with those of us watching having no idea which of them will prevail. And it is live!
Start: 14:00 BST
