This is a game that Brentford fans are probably not looking forward to because their last victory against Crystal Palace in the English football top flight came in 1977. Since then, a Brentford vs Crystal Palace match has been played seven more times and the Bees’ fans have witnessed no wins in those seven trials (five draws and two defeats).
On the bright side, the Eagles were only able to pick off the Bees twice. On the flip side, it speaks of a hierarchy in London’s football season where Crystal Palace is higher than Brentford. This is especially embarrassing because the Eagles are not the most dominant London club either.
This season is a very important one for Brentford manager Thomas Frank. The Dane is quite the popular figure in the town thanks to his efforts to return the Bees to the top flight and keep them there for three seasons. As he enters his fourth, shadows of their poor performance in 2023/24 will follow him about. He could lose his job if he doesn’t perform up to expectations, starting with this opening match.
Keep reading for match ticket information, team news, match previews and predictions for the game.
Ticket information
Brentford vs Crystal Palace match tickets are already on sale on the websites of both clubs. Priority access to them will be given to registered fans of both clubs, which leaves visiting fans and football tourists who want to witness a London rivalry with only one option that will not cost the time: purchasing their tickets from a trusted ticket reselling platform.
The tickets are available on seatsnet.com where fans go to dispose of their tickets for fair prices and organisations go to sell excess tickets to cut their losses. A search for Brentford vs Crystal Palace tickets should turn up multiple ticket options for fans who want to buy.
It is important to note that Premier League tickets also sell fast on these platforms.
The game will be played on Sunday 18 August 2024 at 2 PM UK time. It will be broadcast live for fans at home.
Team news
Brentford’s transfer dealings have not inspired any confidence in the fans yet. Their only signing to date is Igor Thiago, a 23-year-old Brazilian striker who played for Club Brugge in the 2023/24 season.
Standing at 6’1, he will add some height to the Brentford attack but his inexperience in the Premier League will worry the Bees, who are in danger of losing Ivan Toney after choosing to let go of Neal Maupay, whose appearances off the bench were very crucial for some of the results they had last season.
Should they lose the Englishman, who has had a decent 2024 Euros outing in Germany, Thiago will be their only striker as they welcome Crystal Palace. We may see Frank choosing to depend on Mbeumo and Wissa as he did in Toney’s absence last season.
Palace, on the other hand, have lost a key figure in Michael Olise, who caught the eye of several clubs but was eventually snapped up by German giants Bayern Munich. The Frenchman’s absence has now been filled by Daichi Kamada, who will work once again with Oliver Glasner, who is about to manage in his first full Premier League season.
Palace are also wary about the fact that they could lose Eberechi Eze, who has also had a decent 2024 Euros with the Three Lions of England. Glasner will hope that the Eagles can complete more transfers before the opening game or else he will be playing with a thin squad in a must-win game.
Brentford: Flekken; Henry, Pinnock, Ajer, Hickey; Jensen, Nørgaard, Janelt; Wissa, Thiago, Mbeumo.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Guehi, Andersen, Richards; Mitchell, Wharton, Lerma, Muñoz; Eze, Mateta, Ayew.
Match preview
Palace are on a six-game unbeaten run against Brentford since the Bees returned to the Premier League in 2021/22. As stated earlier, the last Bees victory, home or away, in this tie, came in 1977. The only consolation that Brentford and her fans have is that five of those games were draws, with the only win in that stretch coming at Selhurst Park.
Frank can think of that trip later but right now, he will be focused on making sure that they bag their first win over their London rivals. He will be worried over the form that the Eagles finished the 2023/24 season with: finished 10th last season — their highest placing since 2014/15 after seven wins, three draws and three defeats from their 13 Premier League matches that season including a run of six wins and a draw in their last seven fixtures to end the campaign with wins over Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Glasner, who joined the Eagles last February, is currently building the side he wants. His strong finish from last season and his trophy-winning experience with Eintracht Frankfurt mean he will get all the support he needs. His side will be the better-looking side going into the game. The question is how he will play without Olise and if Kamada will be able to fill the young Frenchman’s boots. Mateta’s patch from last season is also an issue as Palace fans will be wondering if the Frenchman has truly been unlocked.
The transfer window could change a lot of things for both clubs heading into the clash. Gtech Community Stadium is in for a show.
Prediction
Tickets are selling fast for this clash in the capital that pits two managers who are being watched by the bigger teams against each other. Hurry over to the club websites or to seatsnet.com for tickets.
As for what will happen in the game, one thing we’re sure of is that the game will be physical because Brentford have a reputation. Thomas Frank’s high-intensity and fast transition style will meet with Oliver Glasner’s more elegant style and chaos will ensue.
Finally, we predict that the victor will emerge with a slim margin of victory.
Brentford 1 – 2 Crystal Palace
