The position envisaged by the Guardian writers: 17 (NB: This is not necessarily Uzzi Majid's prediction but the average of our writers' advice)
Last season's position: 16
Perspectives
After a challenging 2023-24 campaign, not being the worst Premier league A London team would be a boon for Brentford supporters, with the club having been third in the capital last season. The seemingly endless Ivan Toney saga has been going on all summer and may have taken a dramatic turn. Igor Thiago, signed to be the striker's replacement, is out until the end of the year after suffering a meniscus injury in last month's 4-2 win over AFC Wimbledon.
It is a heartbreaking scenario for Brentfordwhich could make it impossible for them to sell Toney, however tempting the offers are. The 28-year-old, who has made no secret of his desire to leave, is in the final year of a contract which he is reportedly willing to run down if he cannot land a big signing in this window. If Toney does stay, that, unless there is a significant change of heart, would all but end Brentford’s hopes of securing a fee for a player who cost them £10m in August 2020.
With or without Toney, Thomas Frank will want to hit the ground running when his side host Crystal Palace, who Brentford have yet to beat in the Premier League. The team will play another home game against Southampton at the end of August, but things could get more volatile away from home, with Brentford’s first four away games coming against Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United from late August to mid-October. Securing maximum points against Palace and Southampton is therefore a priority if the team are to make Gtech a stronghold again and avoid the relegation battle.
Brentford, who lost out to Spurs after signing Archie Gray from Leeds, still need to strengthen their squad. Remaining, perhaps accompanied by a Cup win, would constitute a successful campaign.