Brentford

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Brentford's away form is awful but they are still fearless wherever they go and they have got plenty of goals in them - Kevin Schade was such a smooth operator to put his chances away against Leicester on Saturday.

The Bees are the last team you want to play when you are leaking goals the way Aston Villa are.

Villa's form is desperate and they are a bit like Manchester City in that they need a result to go for them to turn the tide.

There is no pressure on boss Unai Emery whatsoever but he does need a win to get his side heading in the right direction.

Maybe this is when it happens. I am going to say Ollie Watkins will come up trumps against his old team and get Villa going again.

Ryan's prediction: 2-2

I struggled with this one. Villa are not doing great but they do potentially have a great performance in them, whereas Brentford are very up and down. There are going to be a few goals here whatever happens, though.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Brentford have never won an away league game against Aston Villa (drawing six, losing three), with the Bees only facing Stoke (14) and Halifax Town (11) more often on the road without winning in their league history.

The Bees have won more points in Premier League home games than any other side this season (19) - however, no team have won fewer points on the road than their one (level with bottom side Southampton).

Werrda Ali
BBC Sport researcher

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 20:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Team news: "Unfortunately, Mathias Jensen got a minor hamstring injury, so he will be out Wednesday and unlikely to play on Saturday. The rest should be available."

• When asked whether there was a reason for the disparity between Brentford's home and away performances: "No, not really. We don’t do too much different in what we do away and at home. It’s not like we go super offensive and then super defensive or less high pressure. We try and do more or less the same. I still think it’s early days. The run of away opponents we have had is part of the reason it could be obscured one way. The biggest thing is we’ve performed relatively well away from home, except the Fulham game. I’m happy overall and I'm hoping for three points at Villa tomorrow."

• On midweek Premier League fixtures: "Of course players can play 90 minutes three times in a week, no problem. It’s the problems after that. It’s the balance of using your squad that could be using your substitutes, taking players off around 60, 70 minutes if you can do that."

• On if there was a boost in Kevin Schade's confidence after his hat-trick against Leicester City: "Definitely, we all need to have a sliding door moment in life when you say, ‘I’m probably a good footballer’. Hopefully he knew that already. He was so good, three goals and an assist and his work rate. For him, a little bit of extra confidence will be amazing for him. We aren’t the only club where the team is happy to see their team-mate succeed. We have a rare culture. They really, really care about each other. Everyone was so happy for him, they know what it means."

• On the new scheme introduced by Brentford, which offers reduced prices for younger fans: "I'm very happy that we’ve reduced prices for younger fans, home and away. It’s a fantastic scheme I can only praise the leadership. We want the new generation to really experience that home and away experience and create a great habit. It’s the greatest game in the world and to be a fan and follow your team home and away is a fantastic thing."

• On their last meeting against Aston Villa: "It was quite a crazy game. Last time it was 3-3. Maybe the two teams fit each other. It's quite exciting and both teams want to take initiative. Hopefully, it will be an entertaining game and we get a win."

• On Brentford's 20 points in 13 games: "I’m a dreamer and of course I'm aware and it's important for the fans to dream and of course we should to, but we need to focus on the next game and what is ahead of us, so many things can change."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Brentford have announced that for the rest of this season, travelling junior fans will pay no more than £10 to watch the club in the Premier League.

The new Gen10 initiative means youngsters travelling to Brentford's away games and opposition fans who are travelling to the Gtech Community Stadium will not be charged over £10 to watch their side.

Speaking to the club's official website, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: "Incredible away support makes a massive difference to us. The energy and noise from our travelling fans inspires the players and creates an atmosphere that has helped us get some top, top results over the last few years.

“This is a great initiative that is about the future of football. We’re making it easier for young fans to be part of those special moments and be on the journey with us. We know that seeing us win a long way from home gives memories that last forever.

“Togetherness with our fans, both home and away, is crucial to what we’re building here and I hope this will help us see full away ends at our matches for the rest of the season.”

The policy will start in January, with Brentford's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton on the 4th, the first game of the initiative.

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Brentford have been drawn to play Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round at G-tech Community Stadium.

The tie will take place between 9-13 January.

See the full draw here

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

Justin Kluivert proved that three is a magic number.

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As did Brentford's Kevin Schade.

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Cole Palmer pulled another rabbit out of his hat.

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Tom Cairney struck gold, before he was dealt the card he did not want.

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As Ruben Amorim shuffled his deck again, Marcus Rashford was up to his old tricks.

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Arteta conjured up another Arsenal victory, leaving some bewildered.

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And, as Manchester City's bad spell continues, Pep Guardiola was quick to show the wonders he has worked.

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Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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Was Saturday the turning point in Kevin Schade’s Brentford career? I certainly hope so.

The German attacker was signed permanently in the summer of 2023 for a then-club record fee but has yet to secure a regular starting place in the side. He has made more substitute appearances than starts for the Bees, although his progression was not helped by a seven-month injury lay-off last season.

Before the weekend, when Schade has played this term he has struggled to make an impact - with his body language suggesting he was low on confidence. I was surprised to see him come into the side on Saturday in place of Vitaly Janelt, who usually starts every match. But Thomas Frank had backed Schade in recent weeks, and must have seen something in training to decide to play him.

And what inspired management it was, as the 23-year-old looked a different player from the start against Leicester.

Even before his sparkling hat-trick, Schade had seen an on-target header tipped away by Mads Hermansen and then laid on Brentford’s equaliser for Yoane Wissa. Aside from those moments and his three goals, he also tracked back to help in defence at times too.

You could see how delighted Schade’s team-mates were for him, both in the goal celebrations and on the pitch at full-time, with plenty of hugs and congratulations heading his way.

With Schade’s performance, another accomplished cameo by Igor Thiago on his home debut as a substitute, and the goals of Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, Frank has riches of talent up front and plenty of interesting selection decisions to make.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Chris Wise
Match of the Day commentator at Gtech Community Stadium

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Thomas Frank took a lot of delight in talking at length about Kevin Schade after his tremendous hat-trick against Leicester City.

Schade's time at Brentford has not been the most straightforward. He missed a huge chunk of last season with a horrible injury but, even aside from that, the German has never quite been able to establish himself as a regular in west London.

Frank was saying after the game how Schade's lack of goals had been getting him down at times too.

After he scored his first goal on Saturday, you could see the confidence had come flooding back with the way he took his second and third goals.

There were question marks when Ivan Toney left about whether Brentford would still be the same force going forward this season. The answer has been rather emphatic.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Leicester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Chris: We were so dominant and should have scored more. That said, Leicester tried to press us constantly but without end result. I'm so happy for Kevin Schade, who was injured for too long after joining us but now, like Mikkel Damsgaard, is starting to blossom. I can't believe where we are in the table!

Michael: They have improved way beyond my expectations. I'm still amazed at the great strides they have made since the start of this season. The top six is within sight! Thomas Frank must be pressing the right buttons for this amazing start to the season.

Ian: If Brentford can cure their poor away form and maintain their fortress-like vibes at the G-tech, then European football is surely not beyond them. Brentford are a much better side with better players than they get credit for. People should not forget that their achievements this season have been made while missing two or three of their regular defenders due to injury.

John: The difference this season is that the manager has almost a full team of players to pick from, with not so many injuries as previously. The home record is fantastic, but the Bees haven't yet been tested against a top team - Manchester City, Liverpool etc.

Leicester fans

James: Gutless, chaotic and all over the place. There will be much for Ruud van Nistelrooy to ponder, in very little time, before Wednesday. We have a defensive setup currently not fit for purpose, nor for keeping Mads Hermansen. We have a midfield that lacks quality, and an ageing Jamie Vardy still trying to defy the years with decreasing efficiency. A fractured club, on and off the pitch.

JC: An absolute shocker. Ruud has a massive job on his hands to lift the club. There are too many egos floating around. Hopefully, Ruud will make some brave decisions and we can start afresh because, at the minute, we are a mess.

Ray: Probably our worst performance of the season. No passion, no heart, no skill. I can only hope that Ruud acts to weed out the feeble prima donnas in our team, starting with Wout Faes who, as an international player, would not get into my local pub team.

Juan: How we can keep picking James Justin and Faes is unbelievable. Every goal we concede is nearly always down to them. Van Nistelrooy's first job is to get our defensive shape and positioning right. Good luck!

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Former Leicester City striker Dion Dublin has praised Brentford boss Thomas Frank's "positive" set up against the Foxes, as the Bees hit four goals at Gtech Community Stadium.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Dublin said: "Thomas Frank set them up with five players to attack and five players to defend. They all knew what they were doing and they were all taking up really positive positions.

"[Kevin] Schade and [Yoane] Wissa were in the middle of the park, really drawing in Leicester City's three defenders and leaving lots of space on the wings for the wingers as well.

"[Mikkel] Damsgaard played in a number 10 area with [Sepp] van den Berg often drawing the Leicester City full-backs in, leaving lots of space for [Bryan] Mbeumo. Then Brentford had a spare player in the box because one of their players were always being doubled up on [by Leicester City].

"When Damsgaard turns, he is always looking for one of the four forward-thinking players and looking to make one of those sideward passes which he is very good at.

"They were playing very positively because they were doing everything they have practised on the training ground. It happened all the way through the game.

"They are happy to play out from the back and take risks because the defenders are back in the places as well.

"If they had continued playing like that all day, they would have just scored more and more goals."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Brentford, Bournemouth and Southampton are keen on 22-year-old Portuguese forward Fabio Silva, who is on loan at Las Palmas from Wolves. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United

• West Ham United 2-5 Arsenal

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Kevin Schade was only the fourth German to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, along with Jurgen Klinsmann (1998), Fredi Bobic (2002), and Andre Schurrle (2014).

He was only the second player to do so for Brentford in the competition after Ivan Toney, who has scored a hat-trick on two occasions.

Schade had just two goals in his first 41 Premier League appearances before today.

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Brentford manager Thomas Frank has been speaking to Sky Sports following the home victory.

On Kevin Schade's hat-trick: "Three goals and an assist. It's a dream number for any offensive player. I'm so happy for him because he is another young man that wants to do the best that he can to perform.

"He had the injury last season, started the season well, and now everything he hit today went in - very good finishes and a fantastic assist. I'm glad I picked him.

"I think I have some good challenges because I have a lot of good offensive players that want to play. We went very offensive today. We played with four wingers and strikers plus the number 10 in Mikkel Damsgaard but, because all of them play high up, they worked very hard."

On the secret to the Bees' current home form: "I can't tell you the secret because then it's not a secret anymore!

"We hit a good form at home. The fans have been really good. We create in every game and the players perform very well.

"Tempo and intensity are two key words. We try to find right patterns in the final third and it paid off today."

On where Brentford can finish this season: "As high as possible. We are very happy with the season so far, always thinking of what to improve. Even this game, there are things we could do better but football is tough. We celebrate today and we go again in training tomorrow."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford hat-trick hero Kevin Schade has been speaking to Sky Sports following the win: "Very pleased. It's been a difficult time for me recently. I'm even more happy now that I have scored the hat-trick.

"I was most pleased with the last goal. It is my first hat-trick in my whole career, I'm so happy.

"I've been sad recently and everyone tries to push me - the team and the fans. I've been working really hard, extra sessions in the gym.

"To be fair, we would expect this game to be tough. They are aggressive like us so it was great to score four goals."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Brentford fans, let us know your thoughts, external

How did you think you performed, Leicester supporters?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Leicester

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Nottingham Forest v Ipswich

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Arsenal - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Ruud van Nistelrooy has now been confirmed as Leicester's new manager, and he will be in attendance at Gtech Community Stadium.

The smart move would probably have been to distance himself from this game because, with five wins and a draw so far, Brentford have got the best home record in the Premier League this season.

If you are Ruud, you jet in after the game - Heathrow Airport is not far away - and jump on the team bus for the trip home after the Foxes get pumped.

I have got some sympathy for Steve Cooper over his dismissal by the way. Leicester were always going to struggle this season.

There are all sorts of stories flying around about how the players never bought into his methods. Maybe there is an element of it where the Leicester players think they are better than they are, but they certainly need to improve their timing.

There are photos of the squad out in Copenhagen this week for their Christmas party, and if they are holding that in November then something is wrong - although I must admit we have had the decorations up at our house for three weeks already.

Edwards' prediction: 1-2

I reckon Leicester will find something here, there will be a reaction to seeing the manager get sacked.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Thomas Frank says he is "very pleased" with summer signing Fabio Carvalho.

In his latest news conference, Frank was asked about Carvalho's father, who allegedly commented on a Brentford Instagram post calling for his son to leave the club.

"If it was his dad [leaving the comment], I think we need to ask him," Frank said.

"I can only say that I'm very pleased with Fabio and he's very happy here. I speak to him every day and he's training well.

"He's in a good place. It's just a matter of time before we see him flourish even more. He's come into a good team who are scoring a lot of goals. I'm very pleased with him.

"Because we are performing offensively and the players in front of him are performing well, then we don't change. He just needs to wait for that window of injury or when we play three games in a week where he may get a start. It's the nature of football these days."

When asked what Carvalho's best position is, Frank added: "I think he can play to the left as a winger, he can play in 10 or as one of two strikers. We've also got Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade on the bench. I've got a positive challenge."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank started with a squad fitness update: "In general, it's good. We have no more injuries and we are progressing with the players who are out. Kristoffer [Ajer] and [Gustavo] Nunes will not be available for this game."

• He was asked if the club will sign a left-back in January to help with injury issues: "Eight different players can play at full-back, so I think we have enough. Never say never, but I think we will be fine."

• On Christian Norgaard's red card being overturned: "It's more happiness that we have him available for the next three games. It would have been a very harsh decision. I'm very happy that it was correctly overturned."

• On mistakes made by VAR: "This will be an ongoing thing. We are luckily still dealing with people and not AI. Human beings can make mistakes. I think it is progressing in the right way."

• On record signing Igor Thiago's return to full fitness: "He played 70 minutes with the B team on Tuesday so he is more ready to potentially start games - but he will not start [on Saturday]."

• On opponents, who are without a permanent manager after Steve Cooper lost his job last Sunday: "It's terrible timing for us. I'm always sad to hear when a fellow coach gets sacked. I know Steve quite well and I think he's a brilliant coach. Looking from the outside, I don't really know why [he was sacked]."

• On preparation for the game: "We don't know exactly what they will come with. I have watched zero minutes of Leicester this week because I think it's a waste of time. It's 70-80 percent about us."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news