Jump To:The CoachKey PlayerLast Season's ResultsTop ScorerLessons From Last YearMost Likely To...Least Likely To...View From The StandsFixturesTitle OddsFFT VerdictCopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThis time last year, the Bees were every loudmouthed pundit's favourite for the drop.The narrative was set. Brentford would struggle after Thomas Frank left and Keith Set-Piece Coach' Andrews replaced him. Captain Christian Norgaard had been sold, then followed out of the door by the free-scoring combo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.Yet it turned out once again that the club's hierarchy, led by owner Matthew Benham, knew better than Roy Keane, Martin O'Neill and so many experts on social media. Andrews didn't simply steady the ship, he steered it agonisingly close to Europe. His task now is to turn Brentford's dream of a first ever continental campaign into reality.Can the Bees secure European football this time around in the Premier League? Brentford 2026-27 season previewFor this to happen, the Irishman must find ways to get his team's attack flowing more regularly. Coaxing more from the widemen Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara would certainly help to lift some of the goalscoring load from Igor Thiago's broad shoulders.Another top priority for Andrews will be to inspire Mikkel Damsgaard, his best player back to top form. While Brentford are unlikely to ever get ahead of themselves, last season showed, again, that they are more than capable of mixing it with the best of the Premier League's middle tier. You may like Bournemouth have waved goodbye to Andoni Iraola, but will they continue to build upon the fine work he laid down? - Bournemouth 2026-27 season preview Unai Emery's Europa League champions are the most likely non-Big 6 side to disturb the Premier League title race - Aston Villa 2026-27 season preview How to watch Brentford vs Crystal Palace: Streams and TV info Safety from relegation will always be their first target, but the Bees have every reason to go into 2026-27 looking up rather than down.The CoachAfter so much upheaval, Keith Andrews lost eight of his first 15 games then led Brentford to a joint-best Premier League finish, missing the Conference League on goal difference and the Europa League by a single point. His tactical nous is still developing, but what a start.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Key PlayerWho else but Igor Thiago? In the old days at Griffin Park, the only way to get a Brazilian in TW8 would have involved strips of hot wax this summer they had a striker in the Selecao's World Cup squad, after he was second in the Premier League goal charts. He'll be vital again.Last Season's ResultsPREMIER LEAGUE: 9thFA CUP: Fifth Round What to read next FourFourTwo's 2025/26 Season Preview revisited: Five predictions we got RIGHT...and five things that shocked us Mikel Arteta is under a very different pressure to go and win it all over again, while new managers have been installed at every other Big Six' outfit FourFourTwo's 2026-27 Arsenal season preview Bromley vs Leicester and 10 more things to look forward to in the EFL this season LEAGUE CUP: Quarter-finalTop ScorerIgor Thiago bagged an astonishing 25 goals in all competitions for the Bees last season.His exploits almost won him the Golden Boot, had it not been for the existence of a certain Norwegian bagsman.Lessons From Last YearFind extra strength in depth from somewhere. Brentford ran out of steam a little in the second half of last season, conceding too often, letting leads slip and dropping points at home to beatable teams such as Wolves and Everton. The club can't maintain a huge playing squad, but extra quality off the bench would be very welcome.Most Likely To...Provoke scenes of unbridled joy when he scores: Josh Dasilva. After a horrendous time with injuries, the 27-year-old midfielder finally returned to action in May for his first appearance in 15 months. If he can somehow stay fit, get consistent minutes and score one or two of his trademark worldies, there won't be a more popular man in west London.Least Likely To...Shop in Brentford again: Newcastle United. Despite his heroics at the World Cup, the Magpies must have buyer's remorse after spending �55m on Yoane Wissa (or should that be Missa?), all for one league goal. File under Good Sale'.View From The StandsWords by: BILLY THE BEE GRANT @BeesottedLast season was a huge surprise. After we lost Thomas Frank and most of his backroom staff, as well as Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Yoane Wissa after he went on strike it could have all gone horribly wrong. But Keith Andrews stepped up from set-piece coach, and we ended up a final-day header away from a European tour.This season will be different because unlike the chaos of last summer, we'll have earlier signings and a full pre-season.Our key player will be Igor Thiago. He's a good example of why football is the greatest sport: hard work and humility turned a complete unknown into Brazil World Cup starter in less than a year.The active player I'd love to have back is Ivan Toney. That won't please some fans, because his stay here ended messily, but he's a born winner.The pantomime villain will be Jordan Pickford. No away end has ever enjoyed 90 quiet minutes from the bloke.The best thing about matchdays at our ground is you can walk to the Thames in a matter of minutes and riverside pubs are everywhere, most of them welcoming away fans too. The whole area creates a proper football atmosphere before and after games.A social media account to follow is Queen Bees, a growing supporters' group providing a safe, welcoming environment for women and girls who follow the club. We'll finish 7th.FixturesAUGUST22 Tottenham (H)29 Leeds (A)SEPTEMBER5 Sunderland (H)12 Bournemouth (A)19 Chelsea (H)OCTOBER10 Aston Villa (A)17 Liverpool (H)24 Hull City (A)31 Nott'm Forest (H)NOVEMBER7 Brighton (A)21 Everton (H)28 Man United (A)DECEMBER2 Arsenal (H)5 Man City (H)12 Fulham (A)19 Newcastle (H)26 Ipswich (A)30 Coventry (A)JANUARY2 Crystal Palace (H)6 Arsenal (A)16 Brighton (H)23 Everton (A)30 Man United (H)FEBRUARY6 Nott'm Forest (A)10 Crystal Palace (A)20 Coventry (H)27 Newcastle (A)MARCH3 Ipswich (H)13 Sunderland (A)20 Bournemouth (H)APRIL10 Tottenham (A)17 Leeds (H)24 Fulham (H)MAY1 Man City (A)8 Aston Villa (H)15 Liverpool (A)23 Hull City (H)30 Chelsea (A)Title OddsBrentford to win the Premier League title odds: 300/1FFT VerdictFourFourTwo verdict: Brentford to finish 10th.As two points separated 7th from 11th last term, it won't take much for a team to rise nor to fall. A lot rests on Thiago: the Bees work to feed him, as implied by his having the division's highest xG per shot.This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.TOPICSPremier LeagueWill GoreSocial Links NavigationBrentford journalist
