Brentford will be leaning on the coaching prowess of Thomas Frank in 2024/25 with fears that the Bees might be dragged into a relegation scrap.

A cloud of uncertainty has drifted over west London ahead of the new season, with a quiet summer transfer window igniting pessimism within the fanbase following three successful Premier League campaigns.

A 16th-place finish represented a drop-off in performance, although several mitigating factors were at play. Brentford are set to benefit from enjoying protagonist Ivan Toney for the campaign’s entirety after the England international missed the first half of last season due to a betting suspension.

The Bees’ retention of Toney is an undoubted boost, but how far can he and Frank take the London club in 2024/25? Here’s 90min’s preview of Brentford’s upcoming campaign.

Brentford are preparing for their fourth-straight season in the top flight having earned promotion via the play-offs in 2021. The Bees enjoyed the security of mid-table during their first two Premier League bows before sliding to 16th last season.

The club has struggled in the domestic cup competitions outside of a semi-final berth in the 2020/21 Carabao Cup while they were still playing in the Championship. Brentford haven’t reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in the past five seasons.

There have been a couple of shirt number switches with new signing Igor Thiago taking Kevin Schade’s nine shirt. The German will now don seven, previously worn by Neal Maupay, in 2024/25.

There’s otherwise been continuity on the number front, with new signings having an array of options available.

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

In

Out

Brentford revealed their home kit for both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns two years ago, meaning it is the same shirt they donned last season. This was done to be more sustainable and make shirts more affordable for their fans.

The Bees have produced a pink away top for the first time in their history, while the green third kit takes inspiration from the architecture of the Gtech Community Stadium.

Home kit

Away kit

Third kit

Ivan Toney must have expected a departure this summer but the England international remains a Bee entering the final year of his contract. With lucrative suitors failing to come forward, this is something of a prove-it year for the striker.

Toney hit 12 and 20 goals during his first two Premier League campaigns before scoring just four times during the second half of 2023/24. An upturn is expected from the Englishman, who works superbly in tandem with Brentford’s transition stars Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

Mbeumo is often a beneficiary of Toney’s hold-up play and will be in the hunt to claim top scorer honours. The Frenchman has scored nine league goals in both the previous two seasons.

Summer arrival Igor Thiago started pre-season is fine form but the newbie won’t be appearing until December at the earliest after sustaining a knee injury.

The pessimism surrounding Brentford entering 2024/25 is understandable. There’s scope for the Bees to stagnate off the back of a far-from-disastrous 16th-place finish last season.

Toney’s retention is, of course, huge. While he endured a quiet end to 2023/24 having returned from a lengthy absence, the striker may enjoy a bounce-back campaign this term and his form should alleviate relegation fears.

Frank must attempt to evolve tactically given the minimal squad turnover, with Brentford unlikely to improve drastically from last season’s performance. They should be stout and tough to beat at home, with the points they secure at the Gtech ensuring their status as a Premier League team for another season.

Brentford 2024/25 Premier League prediction – 16th

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP