Nottingham Forest v Brentford: Team news published at 13:01 BST 17 August
13:01 BST 17 August
Dan Ndoye, Nottingham Forest's new £36 million winger signed from Bologna this summer, starts for Nuno's side at City Ground today.
New Brazilian arrivals Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha are on the bench, while Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee - announced by the club as new signings yesterday night - are not involved.
Morgan Gibbs-White, who signed a new three-year deal after being heavily linked with a move, captains Forest.
Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Brentfordpublished at 11:06 BST 17 August
11:06 BST 17 August
People are writing both of these teams off for different reasons and saying they won't be as good as last season.
As well as seeing their manager go to Spurs, Brentford have lost Bryan Mbeumo - and Yoane Wissa seems to want out too - so the worry with them is who will get their goals?
I still think the Bees have enough battle-hardened Premier League players to compete, but maybe Kevin Schade needs a bit of help up top.
It is also going to be difficult for Nottingham Forest to go again and be as good as they were last year. They have sold Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood turns 34 years old in December, but at least they kept hold of Morgan Gibbs-White.
I think this will be a very tight and quite scruffy game but as long as Forest win it, they won't care.
Nottingham Forest v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:57 BST 16 August
13:57 BST 16 August
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Brentford ended only three places below Nottingham Forest last season but they face a difficult task at the City Ground on Sunday after losing key personnel over the summer.
The west London side will be without both of last season's joint top scorers for their opening game, with Bryan Mbeumo sold to Manchester United and Yoane Wissa not currently considered for selection amidst interest from Newcastle.
Former captain Christian Norgaard has also departed to Arsenal, while goalkeeper Mark Flekken has joined Bayer Leverkusen.
That would be a testing scenario for most experienced Premier League managers, but the Bees will have rookie Keith Andrews in charge. Thomas Frank's successful seven-year reign ended in June when he moved to Tottenham and the Dane could prove a tough act to follow.
This will be Andrews' first managerial role, though he does have experience working as an assistant and served as the Bees' set-piece coach last season.
Perhaps surprisingly, the 44-year-old will become only the seventh permanent Premier League manager from the Republic of Ireland, as classified by Opta, and the first since Chris Hughton left Brighton in 2019.
Last season's seventh-place finish earned Forest European qualification for the first time in 30 years, while their tally of 19 Premier League wins was one more than their combined tally in the previous two years.
The end of the campaign was tinged by disappointment, with defeat by Chelsea on the final day ending hopes of Champions League qualification, but there is nonetheless plenty of reason for optimism going into their first game.
Forest are the beneficiaries of Crystal Palace's demotion to the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules. As a result they have been elevated to the Europa League and won't face a two-legged qualifying play-off later this month.
The Reds have also been buoyed by the decision of captain Morgan Gibbs-White to sign a new three-year contract, despite appearing on the verge of joining Tottenham only a few days earlier.
They have lost winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle but Switzerland international Dan Ndoye has arrived from Bologna as a replacement, while Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus have been recruited from Brazil.
The club have also agreed fees for Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson and Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, both of whom impressed as England won this summer's European Under-21 Championship.
Forest used just 23 players in last season's Premier League, fewer than any other side, but need increased squad depth to cope with European football.
'Andrews the manager to watch this season'published at 12:05 BST 16 August
12:05 BST 16 August
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators were asked to pick 21 players who will be worth watching out for in the next few months. While he isn't a player, a manager made the cut, too.
Keith Andrews
Conor McNamara: Obviously, no longer a player, but I would still put Keith in the 'wildcard' category.
Sure, his appointment has raised plenty of eyebrows, but I have worked regularly with him as a co-commentator in the past for Irish TV.
His enthusiasm and way with words really impresses me. Because I know him from work, in recent seasons my eye would be drawn towards him before games when Sheffield United or Brentford were warming up, and, although an assistant at the time, he always seemed to be at the heart of everything and constantly communicating with the players.
The owners at Brentford have earned a reputation for making good decisions, and they will not have made this one rashly. They have seen him up close and will have heard the feedback of a squad who enjoy his methods.
So many high-profile managers have crashed out in their first Premier League job, so it certainly is not easy. But I'll be hoping that Andrews gets off to a really good start.
'Bournemouth laughing all the way to the bank' - is Ouattara wise business?published at 12:50 BST 15 August
12:50 BST 15 August
We asked for your views on Brentford agreeing a record deal of up to £42.5m for Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara.
Do you think the Burkina Faso international will improve Keith Andrews' team or are the Bees being overcharged?
Here are some of your comments:
George: A great acquisition, as always, from Brentford. A skilful and rapid carrier of the ball who knows how to cross into the box, which will pair well with Schade's great heading ability and Thiago's hold-up play.
Ben: Quite an elegant solution to our problems. It looks like he would be more of a Mbeumo replacement, but the fact he can play through the middle also means that he can provide cover for losing Wissa. He seems to be an adaptable player that we will be able to develop in either role. The fee is excessive but that is what you pay for young players who are Premier League proven these days, I suppose.
Kevin: Nine goals, you're having a laugh! Bournemouth are laughing all the way to the bank.
Nick: If you strip it all back, the recruitment team are looking at a very small pool of players. They need someone of the right age who has Premier League experience and has a proven track record of goals. They don't come cheap and Ouattara ticks a lot of those boxes.
Gary: A great purchase and a great replacement for Wissa. He can now go to Newcastle for around the same money, while we get a player who is proven and has a great future.
Jake: His expected goals and assists per 90 minutes is high. You have to trust the club here. His flexibility across the frontline is great. Looking at the club's past business, it is hard to question the move without insider knowledge.
Pinnock and Henderson only veterans in Andrews' squadpublished at 10:53 BST 15 August
10:53 BST 15 August
We have looked into the age profile of Brentford's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.
The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.
Bournemouth had four players over 30 last season but have parted ways with three of those, including captain Christian Norgaard and goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Ethan Pinnock and new signing Jordan Henderson are now the only veterans in Keith Andrews squad.
The graphic shows the vast majority of the Bees squad are between 24 and 30 years old and were the core squad members last season in terms of most minutes played.
The Bees have, however, brought in two players this summer aged under 24, and Andrews has already noted the impact Henderson is having on the younger members of the squad.
Andrews on Wissa, Mbeumo, and summer recruitment published at 14:57 BST 14 August
14:57 BST 14 August
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at City Ground (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On whether Yoane Wissa will be available: "I have made a decision he is not. It has been a very disrupted pre-season, and the interest in Yoane is very clear. I want Yoane to be in the building and be a part of the first team and the squad but I am very understanding of his situation, I have a very good relationship with him and that will persist. But we have to focus on the players that are ready and I don't think Yoane is in that space."
Asked on whether Wissa has been training away from the first team, Andrews said: "What happens in the training ground will remain in the training ground."
On the future for Wissa: "It's very hard to know. I would like Wissa to be part of the first team squad. Where that will end, I'm not sure."
On the exit of last season's leading scorer Bryan Mbeumo: "Bryan is a success story for this club, considering where he has started and the numbers he has gone for. That replicates what we would like to see in the future.
On how the club is "continuing to look to grow" despite a number of high profile departures this summer.
He is happy with the summer recruitment, praising the signing of Jordan Henderson as replacement for last season's captain Christian Norgaard and new goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
He said his new players have integrated very well during pre-season.
On the shape of the squad: "Very good, especially the defensive options. Two centre-halves in Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins, who are one more year into their development. Full-back positions, we didn't have Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry available for large periods of time, so they feel like new signings, and Henderson has been amazing with the influence he is having, especially on our younger players. At the top end, two that spring to mind are Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho, who are so talented and primed."
Where will Brentford finish this season?published at 12:01 BST 14 August
12:01 BST 14 August
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:
16) Brentford
Last season: 10th
For the first time in a long time, I genuinely fear for Brentford, who have been a superb Premier League presence with Thomas Frank - now departed for Spurs - at the helm.
I seriously believe their season could go to the wire, with new manager Keith Andrews untested at Premier League level, and with key departures such as main striker Bryan Mbuemo to Manchester United and vastly underrated midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal, with gifted forward Yoane Wissa clearly casting longing glances towards Newcastle United.
They have, however, signed a proven high-class goalkeeper in Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool, while 35-year-old England midfielder Jordan Henderson will provide leadership, vast experience and an example.
The big question is whether Henderson can still cut it in the Premier League at this late stage of his career.
Andrews also believes 20-year-old Antoni Milambo can have influence in midfield after being brought in from Feyenoord.
What do you want to know about Brentford?published at 16:45 BST 13 August
16:45 BST 13 August
Have you got a question about Brentford or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted a Bees theme or trend that needs further investigation?
Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.
Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.
No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.
'Pre-season predictions will tip us for relegation - I think they are wrong'published at 13:34 BST 12 August
13:34 BST 12 August
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
After the many key departures this summer, a lot of pre-season predictions will inevitably tip us for relegation.
But I think they are wrong.
Of course it was a massive blow to lose Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo, who was the only one expected to leave, while Yoane Wissa's absence has been disappointing.
My main hope for the campaign is that Keith Andrews' appointment as head coach proves to be a masterstroke and leaves the pundits feeling embarrassed.
As I said in my last column, nobody can know whether Andrews, a head coach for the first time, will prove to be good at his new job - only time will tell. However, the stats show that last term he was an excellent set piece coach - another role he had never done before.
While I doubt we will match last season's top-half finish, we have enough about us and enough good players to end up well clear of any trouble. In the circumstances, that would be an achievement.
My fear for the season though is that we may struggle to score goals and that could cost us some points.
Mbeumo and Wissa scored 39 between them last season and, while Kevin Schade will hopefully find the net as regularly as he did at times in 2024-25, it could take Igor Thiago, in effectively his first full campaign with us, a while to adjust and get up and running.
This and any potential glut of injuries could see us looking over our shoulders occasionally.
The defence, though, is stronger than last season with no departures and the full return of Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry, which is like having two new signings at the back.
Andrews 'in perfect position to do a really good job'published at 08:14 BST 12 August
08:14 BST 12 August
Media caption,
Brentford fan Daniel Topping from The Ealing Road Podcast says he remains excited for the new season despite there being some external worry around the Bees' summer activity.
On paper, losing your manager, captain and star player is a reason to panic, but Topping believes you "have to trust the club" and "the process".
"It is clearly a big job for Keith Andrews," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "We have never finished a Premier League weekend in the relegation zone over the past four years so it is important we start well this season.
"Andrews doesn't have the credit in the bank like other bigger-named managers might have done if they had come in, but I trust the club. I have to trust the process.
"The thing about Brentford, and what other coaches might start to see now, is that if you are a young coach at the top level, and want to progress, then Brentford is a good place to come and do that.
"Frank had a limited amount of coaching experience in Denmark before coming to us as assistant-coach but he helped drive the culture.
"The club want to keep that and Andrews is clearly respected by those at the club, so he is in the perfect position to do a really good job with the support he has around him."
'Excited about the Andrews chapter' or 'too many unknowns'?published at 11:39 BST 11 August
11:39 BST 11 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Brentford are ready for the new season after the Bees completed their pre-season campaign with a draw against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.
Here are some of your comments:
Elizabeth: Not ready yet. Thiago is not up to the mark. Need to resolve the Wissa situation speedily and let him go. Need two new forwards.
Rob: I think the Bees are going to surprise a few people this season. Generally the so called experts are predicting gloom and doom, but I believe that the club was getting a bit comfortable and stale and so the shipping out of the manager and some players and the brilliant recruiting of replacements will see the Bees prosper. Top 10 again I predict.
Mark: I was at the friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. It was glaringly obvious that we urgently need replacements for Mbeumo and Wissa. Our build-up play was OK but we lacked any sort of penetration in the final third. Henderson played well when he came on and showed some quality. We really should have seen the game out. It's going to be a long, tough season.
Richard: People are writing us off before the first game has kicked off but after the pre-season games the nerves have vanished. Even without Bryan and Wissa we showed we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Bring the season on.
Jason: I've been going to Brentford for nigh on 40 years and I'm excited about the Keith Andrews chapter. I'm taking my mate Jim to his first football game this season. He can't have a better introduction to the beautiful game.
Simon: It's Jekyll and Hyde time at Brentford. Just one week away from a new season we are buoyant with returns and additions, but anxiety is high with too many unknowns up-front and in the dugout.
Tim: Our defence and midfield looks a little stronger than last season with players returning from injury and new signings like Kelleher and Milambo. The concern is scoring goals with a largely untried forward line. More firepower required but I think we will survive - 15th.
'A pretty special evening' - Andrews on first Gtech experience as bosspublished at 14:34 BST 9 August
14:34 BST 9 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford boss Keith Andrews was pleased by an "outstanding" second half against Borussia Monchengladbach and described his first game as boss at the Gtech Community Stadium as "pretty special".
The Bees trailed 1-0 at half-time but quick-fire goals from Fabio Carvalho and Mikkel Damsgaard turned the game around after the break before the German visitors levelled late on.
"I feel a bit mixed," Andrews said. "We started the game pretty well, were dangerous and caused them problems, but we got a bit passive with and without the ball and then we lost some momentum.
"The pressure we worked on didn't really work after the first 12 minutes - they did well with some good movements - and we became slightly too passive.
"We struggled to get to grips with them at times in the first half.
"In the second half we were outstanding. We reacted really well and played with a lot of passion, character, resilience and personality, which I was really pleased with."
It was Andrews' first experience as Brentford manager at the Gtech Community Stadium after he moved from his role as set-piece coach to replace Thomas Frank as head coach in June.
"With the little tweaks we've made, there is naturally going to be teething problems," he added.
"I've loved it since being at this football club so to stand here in the technical area in front of the fans, friends, family - it was a pretty special evening and I really enjoyed it."