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.
Frank on injuries, facing Chelsea and the Bees' away formpublished at 15:14 13 December 2024
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?"
Chelsea v Brentford: Did you know?published at 11:33 13 December 2024
11:33 13 December 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).
Chelsea v Brentford: Did you know?published at 15:23 11 December 2024
15:23 11 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have won all three of their Premier League away games against Chelsea. Leeds United were the last team to win four consecutive top-flight away games against the Blues (six between 1973 and 1991).
'B' movie cast eclipses leading lightspublished at 10:54 11 December 2024
10:54 11 December 2024
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
It is always a temptation to talk about the big sexy clubs with all the supporters and most of the money.
Manchester United, with their 75,000 capacity, are one of seven clubs with more than 50,000 punters turning up every week, paying vast amounts for the privilege. The turnover of these behemoths can be three or four times the size of smaller clubs.
It is worth re-emphasising every now and again the fantastic jobs being done by the Premier League's 'B' teams. By 'B' teams I mean Brighton (seventh), Bournemouth (eighth) and Brentford (ninth).
Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium can squeeze in about 17,500 souls and they are all being royally entertained, winning 22 out of the 24 points available to them at home.
Bournemouth are arguably even more impressive. Their tiny Vitality Stadium can only seat 11,500, yet there they sit comfortably above the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United.
In comparison to others who regularly lose eye-watering sums of money on expensive players that fail to impress, these clubs are staggeringly well run.
Bees' impeccable home record soon faces massive challengepublished at 12:25 10 December 2024
12:25 10 December 2024
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
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The past week has perfectly summarised Brentford's season so far - brilliant at home but struggling away.
The midweek defeat at Aston Villa, which followed the demolition of Leicester, was another disappointing performance on the road, with only one shot on target.
Contrast that with six efforts on target against the Foxes and eight in Saturday's excellent 4-2 win over Newcastle and it seems that the Bees are like a different side when we leave Gtech Community Stadium.
It is really hard to put a finger on the reasons for this contrast. Thomas Frank made more team changes than usual for the Villa and Magpies games, as he carefully managed minutes for certain players.
We still tried to play in the same attacking way on Wednesday, as we always do away, but it was again less effective.
The Bees have the best home record in the Premier League with 22 points from eight games, while our 26 goals scored is nine higher than anyone else.
However, away from home nobody has won fewer points than our solitary one from seven matches, in which we have only found the net five times.
There is no reason why we cannot give all three a run for their money, but it is crucial to sort out our away form in case we do not.
A great place to start would be down the road at Chelsea in a bizarre Sunday evening kick-off, although, given our three previous Premier League wins there, the in-form Blues will be out for revenge.
Brentford's away form 'still a bit of a head-scratcher'published at 09:55 10 December 2024
09:55 10 December 2024
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says the difference in Brentford's home and away form this season has been "staggering", after the Bees recorded yet another home win over Newcastle United.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "Brentford would have been top of the Premier League with their home form, but they would have been 19th with their away form.
"The way they have evolved through the Premier League era has been fascinating, particularly in the past few seasons. They have just evolved tremendously.
"But that discrepancy between their home and away form is still a little bit of a head-scratcher."
Former England international Andros Townsend added: "When I was at Luton last season, Brentford were the team we were looking at. When they came up, they were probably similar to Luton, where everyone looks at you and thinks: 'Straight back down.'
"But then they surprised everyone and they have just built and evolved, year on year, to a point where now you don't even talk about Brentford in terms of getting relegated."
Brentford 4-2 Newcastle - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:16 9 December 2024
11:16 9 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
Paul: Best home performance of the season, particularly in the second half. Bees have been great home, not so good away. This performance was full of attacking flair and skill and was well deserved against a good team. Frank has the team playing confidently and without fear and I was very proud to be a Bees supporter.
David: Went for first time in five years as I live miles away. I'm used to seeing Brentford in the lower leagues and have seen over 800 games in my 61 years of watching Brentford. This is in my top five games ever.
Mel: This team makes my heart pound! It's a pleasure to watch the Bees achieve some astonishing home performances and set records! Full credit to the squad for their flexibility, professionalism and teamwork equally supported by brilliant club management.
Kev: Newcastle edged the first half but in the second we were unplayable and demolished them. Danger from everywhere. Just an away win or two from being real contenders.
Newcastle fans
Wardy: Another dreadful away performance. No shame in losing to a vibrant energetic Brentford but we lacked energy and didn't press as one. The defence was a shambles, backing off and giving way too much time on the ball. Nowhere near good-enough attitude and no point just turning up for the big games. Need to sort themselves out before this season is a write off.
Michael: Too many poor players like Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Nick Pope, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff. They can do better than Howe... great tactical genius? I don't think so! I'd start looking for a better coach.
Roger: We are slightly better than the Steve Bruce team and are on a par with the side under Rafa Benitez. Mid-table mediocrity beckons I'm afraid. Too many players only show up for home fixtures.
Geordie: This inconsistency is really starting to bite now. While some individuals in the team are certainly not performing, the regular topsy-turvy games are a collective problem and that, ultimately, comes down to coaching. These persistent stale performances are a management issue and Eddie will know this. It's what he does before January - when desperately needed reinforcements can be brought -will be the key to our season. Provided it's not too late by then.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:45 8 December 2024
11:45 8 December 2024
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's four Premier League fixtures.
'The way we performed physically, I am very proud'published at 17:52 7 December 2024
17:52 7 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the day after Brentford's victory against Newcastle: "Very happy, it was a great performance in many ways. The way we performed today physically and with quality against a very good Newcastle side, I am very proud of my players.
"We started well last season for 11 or 12 games, then injuries hit us hard. So we have tried to add layers, be more controlled and make more breakthroughs, playing more forward. We have showed we have a lot of good offensive players.
"[Yoanne] Wissa, the way he links up and goes forward, and gets in behind the back line for tap ins. And Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, like today to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive.
"I would like to carry on this home form - some wins on the road would be welcome too.
"The players are growing, a lot of the players here for a while have taken another step up. It is a very good team, I hope the fans are happy."
Did you know?published at 17:43 7 December 2024
17:43 7 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Since the start of 2021-22, both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have scored in 15 different Premier League games for Brentford, the most of any duo for a side in the competition.
Eight of Bryan Mbeumo's nine Premier League goals for Brentford this season have come at home, while he's already equalled his joint-best tally for a Premier League campaign (9 also in 2022-23 and 2023-24).
Yoane Wissa has scored in each of his last seven home league games for Brentford (9 goals), while his 19 goals is the joint-most in the top-flight at the Gtech Community Stadium, level with Ivan Toney.
Analysis: Brentford 4-2 Newcastlepublished at 17:24 7 December 2024
17:24 7 December 2024
Emma Smith BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Another four goals to the tally for Brentford, who are now joint top scorers in the Premier League alongside Chelsea - both have netted 31 times this campaign.
This win lifted Brentford into sixth place at 5pm on Saturday. While several teams are still to play this weekend, it is impressively lofty heights for the Bees.
They were good value for this win too, and had Dan Burn not cleared Bryan Mbeumo's late effort off the line it could have been even more comprehensive.
Brentford remain porous at the back, twice conceding four minutes after scoring here. Concentration seems to be a major issue for Thomas Frank to resolve.
But the Bees are turning the Gtech Community Stadium into a fortress from which they rain down goals like catapults on any away team raiding party.
This win, their first over Newcastle in the Premier League, also means that Brentford have no beaten all 25 teams they have ever faced in this division.
Brentford 4-2 Newcastle - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:57 7 December 2024
Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 14:00 7 December 2024
14:00 7 December 2024
Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Newcastlepublished at 10:52 7 December 2024
10:52 7 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
Brentford's home record is incredible, and still the best in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle were impressive against Liverpool in midweek but their challenge is to follow up that performance here, because they have been very up and down so far.
This is a difficult one to call, but I always expect goals from the Bees when they are at home.
In contrast, Newcastle have not been scoring consistently this season but they got three against the leaders and I think they will get a couple more here.
Payne's prediction: 2-1
It is no surprise Newcastle play well when Alexander Isak is on form, because he is such a good player. But I have really enjoyed watching Brentford this season, and they are so good at home.