Brentford

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  1. Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Nottingham Forestpublished at 12:01 21 December 2024

    Chris Sutton and Jon McClure

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

    For week 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    It is always hard to back against Brentford at home, but Nottingham Forest are a cagey and clever away team.

    Forest's record on the road is the third-best in the top flight this season and watching them makes me think they can get something here.

    Brentford have played in midweek, losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and I wonder if that might affect them.

    I am not saying the Bees' bubble will burst but Forest are always dangerous, so I am going with another draw.

    McClure's prediction: 2-2

    I can see goals in this one. Brentford manager Thomas Frank deserves a shot at a big club because he is super-good, and they have got a bunch of players who I think are very under-rated.

    Equally, though, Forest are flying and Chris Wood is having a brilliant season. He gives me hope as a big man. If a big lump like him can knock them in then maybe I can too.

    Read the full predictions and have your say

  2. Frank on injuries, a busy week and 'massive respect' for Forestpublished at 19:35 19 December 2024

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

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Sepp van den Berg is likely to miss Saturday's game with a "minor groin injury", while he "does not know the full picture" on Ethan Pinnock's hamstring injury sustained early in Wednesday's Carabao Cup loss at Newcastle.

    • However, Frank confirmed midfielder Christian Norgaard will return to the starting line-up against Forest.

    • The Bees boss said he has "no complaints" about the tight turnaround of matches in league and cup this week, saying the club "managed quite well" when they experienced similar runs during their time in the Championship.

    • On this week's three games, he said: "I got all the information and knowledge on how I could pick a team that could compete on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. We always take things game-by-game, but on Sunday we did have in the back of our mind about how we could prepare in the best way [for the next games]. Three days later, we lost three players. So that balance of having enough players to compete in every competition is something we need to get."

    • Frank said fourth-placed Forest are a team he "respects massively" and believes their top scorer Chris Wood is "probably playing some of the best football of his life".

    Read a recap of Thursday's football news

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  3. Newcastle 3-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:54 19 December 2024

    Your views banner
    Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates with his teammates after scoring his and their second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford.Image source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final between Newcastle and Brentford.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Newcastle fans

    Howard: Newcastle United played really well and thoroughly deserved the win. I thought Sandro Tonali was man of the match with Bruno Guimaraes a close second. Anthony Gordon is now playing consistently well. A good game and by far the best team won.

    Euan: Second great performance of the week. We dominated midfield with Tonali looking so classy in that number-six role. How good were his two goals? Howe finally has the balance right with this midfield and it's showing. Bring on the semis! I fancy us against anyone over two legs.

    Simon: This game was on par with the Liverpool game - it had determination, passion and creativity. Every player was brilliant and professional. Shame about the bookings and losing Fabian Schar and Bruno but you cant have it all!

    Wardy: Much better again. The hunger and intensity were there and we looked balanced. I'd like to see Alexander Isak being more proactive when the team presses but overall, it gives us hope that we can finally kick on.

    Brentford fans

    Jay: It's cost me the best part of £500 including travel and overnight stay. We were promised a really strong team. It's our third top level quarter final in my 47 years as a supporter and the management is more worried about three points on Saturday. What is the point?

    Peter: Disjointed and lacking in any real belief that they could win with the side Thomas Frank put out. Sometimes it is hard to know exactly where he is trying to go with his tactics.

    Paul: So poor away from home yet again. Some of Frank's decisions seem strange to me but then I'm not a manager. All along he's said we'll go strong in the cup and then changes so much. We're a real Jekyll-and-Hyde side: when we're good, we're reallygood but when we're bad, we're really bad.

    Namish: The starting line-up was far too weak, even after Frank promised a strong team. Not starting Bryan Mbuemo or Mikkel Damsgaard harmed us, coupled with Ethan Pinnock's injury, and we never had a chance

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  4. 'We gave two bad goals away' - Frankpublished at 22:36 18 December 2024

    Thomas Frank looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It sounds a bit crazy maybe but, beside the two goals in the first half, they had nothing.

    "In these cup games you need to try to stay in the tie and hopefully be better in the second half, but we gave two bad goals away and then the third one too.

    "Our goal for 3-1 was a beautiful goal, so now imagine if it was only 2-1. The pressure builds in the last four or five minutes and you never know what can happen.

    "That is the irritating part but it is what it is. "

  5. Frank on fixture turnaround, 'favourites' Newcastle and being 'on it'published at 16:10 17 December 2024

    Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Newcastle (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • On team news - "everyone is available from the Chelsea game" - Thiago "has trained and it's positive - I'll make an assessment on Wednesday."

    • Paris Maghoma had a minor injury but "is ready again."

    • He said Brentford "will be absolutely on it" and reiterated that he will be fielding a "really, really strong team," despite the Bees facing three games in seven days.

    • On the schedule he said: "Us and Crystal Palace are the only teams in the quarter finals that have to play three games in six days, the other six teams, the bigger clubs - are playing in eight or nine days, which might be a coincidence? Maybe the EFL or Premier League can answer that."

    • He also said the club tried to change the date of this Saturday's fixture at home against Nottingham Forest to the Sunday, "but they were not willing to help with the short turnaround - it is what it is."

    • He admitted Newcastle "are the favourites, but we fancy ourselves." Also adding that they have "top players and are well-coached - I'm pretty sure we'll know what they'll come with, and I'm also pretty sure Eddie and his team will know what we'll come with."

    • After beating the Magpies 4-2 less than two weeks ago he said tomorrow's game "will be completely different. We will face a team that will come flying out for a late kick-off under the lights. They will take no prisoners and will go after us - but we are ready."

    • On what will decide the game: "I'm convinced we'll score - it's just if we're good enough defensively."

    Follow all of Tuesday's Carabao Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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  6. Encouraging signs as the hunt for the first away win continuespublished at 08:58 17 December 2024

    Ian Westbrook
    Fan writer

    Brentford fan's voice banner
    Bryan Mbuemo playing for Brentford Image source, Getty Images

    Frustrating but encouraging is my verdict on Brentford's first Premier League defeat at Chelsea.

    While there is no doubt the in-form Blues dominated the match and deserved to win, I still feel that we could have got something out of it.

    This was very different to some of this season's other away performances - from which we have only a single point.

    There was a defensive determination about us, which, for example, was missing in the first half of the recent defeat at Aston Villa. One major reason was the reassuring presence of captain Christian Norgaard in midfield.

    But we also changed to a 3-5-2 formation and doggedly stuck to our task of repelling wave after wave of Chelsea attacks before the break.

    We grew into the game in the second half and for a spell had the Blues rattled - creating two good chances to equalise.

    Having not taken them, we then went on to concede the crucial second goal - but with Bryan Mbeumo's late reply, there is no doubt Chelsea were on edge during the seven minutes of stoppage time.

    We did ourselves proud, and that elusive first Premier League away win will come soon if we continue to play like this.

    The display will give us confidence for arguably our biggest game of the season so far - Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Newcastle.

    Thomas Frank has always taken the cup competitions seriously and has spoken before about wanting to go deep in them and ultimately win a trophy for the club.

    What an achievement it would be to follow up last weekend's Premier League win over the Magpies with victory at St James' Park.

    Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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  7. Chelsea 2-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:59 16 December 2024

    Your views banner
    Jadon Sancho of Chelsea is challenged by Ethan Pinnock of Brentford during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brentford FC at Stamford BridgeImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Brentford.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Chelsea fans:

    Dan: Fantastic performance for 89 minutes. Again, concentration cost Chelsea a clean sheet. What I don't get, though, is the red card. Cucurella just needs to walk away. He's got what he has come for and he goes and gets a red card for getting into a silly pushing game against a Brentford player. That could be costly to Chelsea's title-chasing ambitions. By the way, we aren't in the title race. We are just making things interesting.

    David: Young team, they simply need a calm head out there and the message from Maresca to kill off games, rather than sending seven to score with five minutes left. Good performance against a very tricky team.

    Mathew: Really happy to get the win at home. We played really well. I'm happy to see Cucurella and Jackson score but it's just a shame we couldn't keep a clean sheet. It's also good to end our poor streak against Brentford. Really good to see Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong and Samuel Rak-Sakyi in the matchday squad - hopefully they start on Thursday.

    Brentford fans:

    Mahir: Really tough team to break down... with 11 of them behind the halfway line. Good luck to them playing that way.

    Benedict: Still don't understand how we are so poor away. Admittedly it's against top two side in Chelsea but we remain unbeaten at home. Don't know what the mindset is with the players at this stage in the season.

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  8. 'Hard to fall asleep tonight'published at 21:50 15 December 2024

    Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea battles for possession with Christian Norgaard of Brentford during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brentford FC at Stamford BridgeImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford captain Christian Norgaard speaking after the loss: "Of course it's disappointing but we didn't give up. We created chaos at the end."

    On his chance: "It makes it hard to fall asleep tonight. You think I should have done this. It's one of them where you wish you could turn back time and do it differently.

    "Chelsea away is never going to be an easy game. It wasn't the likely one to change our away form but it will come. It's not on our minds. We're in a good position."

  9. 'They are right up there in the title race'published at 21:36 15 December 2024

    Thomas Frank, Manager of Brentford, gives the team instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brentford FC at Stamford BridgeImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking following today's defeat: "We played a very good game here. We were unlucky not to get a draw. Some big chances we missed in the end.

    "We managed for the 90 minutes to go toe to toe with Chelsea, especially in the second half. A draw would have been fair.

    "Chelsea are a very good team, well coached, very good players. They spent a few quid on the squad. They're playing with confidence. Credit to them for pushing us back in the first half.

    "Second half we were more aggressive and played higher. You could see how much trouble we caused them by how much they celebrated 2-0 and at the time.

    "They are right up there in the title race. They're very good.

    "It was a very competitive game with two teams who wanted to win. It can get heated."

  10. Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 18:28 15 December 2024

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    There are two Premier League games kicking off at the unusual time of 19:00 GMT on Sunday, and we will bring you all the key moments from both.

    • Chelsea v Brentford

    • Southampton v Tottenham

    Follow all the action and reaction here

  11. Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Brentfordpublished at 12:45 15 December 2024

    Chris Sutton and darts star Stephen Bunting

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

    For week 16, he takes on darts star Stephen Bunting, who is a Liverpool fan.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    I really admire the job Thomas Frank has done with Brentford because, under him, they have evolved as a team and grown as a club.

    But this is another pretty obvious prediction, because the Bees are awesome at home and useless away.

    I really can't see past a Chelsea win here, with Cole Palmer's Panenka penalty against Tottenham illustrating how high their confidence is.

    The way they are playing, they are definitely title contenders, no matter how many times their manager Enzo Maresca denies it.

    It will be odd for fans to have a game starting so late on a Sunday night, but the Premier League have caved in to teams who want a bit of extra rest after playing in Europe on Thursday.

    I'm not sure the Premier League have thought this through, and they might have opened a can of worms here.

    All teams like to complain about not getting enough rest, especially over Christmas, so the Premier League probably need to come up with a minimum time period that teams should have between games, and stick to it.

    Bunting's prediction: 3-1

    Chelsea are looking really good, Palmer is one of the best players in the Premier League and they always have a strong bench if they need it too.

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  12. Frank on injuries, facing Chelsea and the Bees' away formpublished at 15:14 13 December 2024

    Joe Nelson
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 19:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Midfielder Vitaly Janelt is back for the Bees: "Everyone from the last game should be available. Janelt should be available and involved in the squad tomorrow, so that's positive. [Kristoffer Ajer] was on the bench so he is also ready and available to start."

    • However, Mathias Jensen and Gustavo Nunes must wait longer for their respective returns: "Mathias Jensen, unfortunately, is a couple more weeks until he is ready, so that is a bit of a blow - he's an important player for us. Luckily, other players have been stepping up for us, like [Yehor] Yarmolyuk against Newcastle. Gustavo Nunes - the update there is that it will unfortunately be a while. He played the behind-closed-doors game against Cardiff City, and he had that stress fracture in his lower back, which hasn't healed as well as we wanted it to."

    • Frank believes opponents Chelsea could be the best team in the Premier League at the moment: "I expect an interesting game with two good teams. They are maybe the best team in the Premier League right now. They are maybe even more in form than Liverpool, even though they are top of the league. They are playing incredible football and are well coached. [Enzo] Maresca has done a top job so far with his coaching staff and they look extremely dangerous. They have so many threats going forward and have top-quality players all over the pitch."

    • The Brentford manager confirmed that the Bees requested to move Sunday's match because of Wednesday's upcoming Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle: "I think 7pm is a bit odd. In general, I don't care if we play 11am or 10am - we do what we do when it is the TV people who pay our mortgages. We asked for it because of the Carabao Cup quarter-final away to Newcastle on Wednesday and then we asked if we could move the Nottingham Forest game to the Sunday."

    • He affirmed the importance of the EFL Cup to his team: "We are proud of being in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and we know the European sides are playing more games. It's just how we make it fair for all clubs in the EFL Cup to have the same amount of days to rest and recover. How are the Premier League and EFL wanting us to prioritise the EFL Cup, which we want to, when they are making these sorts of decisions?"

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

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  13. Chelsea v Brentford: Did you know?published at 11:33 13 December 2024

    Mads Roerslev of Brentford scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Chelsea FC at Brentford Community Stadium on March 2, 2024.Image source, Getty Images

    Brentford have won all three of their Premier League away games against Chelsea. The last team to win four consecutive top-flight away games against the Blues were Leeds United (six between 1973 and 1991).