Brentford

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Brentford's next two matches could go a long way towards deciding whether or not we play in Europe next season.

We are at home to the two teams immediately below us in the table - Everton this weekend, in a rare Saturday 15:00 BST slot, and local rivals Fulham the following week at 12:30.

Win those two and we will open up a nice gap over both of them and the rest of the chasing pack. Lose one, or even both, and our European dreams may well start to fade.

Whatever happens, it has been a great season for us.

We have silenced the doubters - of which I was never one - and had a lengthy spell in the top half of the table as well as playing seven cup ties - the most since our promotion season of 2020-21.

It is certainly going to be an interesting end to the campaign in our last seven games - and even if we end up not helping ourselves, we can play a part in potentially determining issues at both ends of the table.

We host relegation-threatened West Ham at the start of May and a week later go to title-chasing Manchester City.

And we are certainly going to be in the headlines on the last day of the season as we are the opponents for Mohamed Salah's final Premier League and Anfield game for Liverpool - and if they go out of the Champions League, his last match for the club, too.

The Everton fixture will mark the end of a frustrating three-week break from games but, as I said last week, hopefully it will have allowed some of the injured players to regain fitness.

The players who missed out on the World Cup finals will have a reason to pick themselves up and try to secure some international club football instead.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Who will win the Premier League player of the season?

That won't be announced until towards the end of May but we already have a pretty good idea of the contenders, based on players' performances so far this campaign.

Arsenal are leading the way in the title race and should they win, the likes of defender Gabriel and midfelder Declan Rice will surely be in contention but more unexpected stars like Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo will likely be in the mix.

The striker's 19 goals have lifted Brentford to the brink of European football for the first time in their history, having been pre-season favourites for relegation.

He has scored the most goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League season and became the fastest Brentford player to reach 10 top-flight goals.

He is one short of their overall Premier League record of 20 in a season, scored by Bryan Mbeumo (2024-25) and Ivan Toney (2022-23).

It comes after last season was wrecked by injury following a £30m move from Club Brugge in 2024. A knee injury in pre-season ruined his chance of an early impact and then a joint infection kept him out until the final few games.

He made just eight appearances, failing to score, so to return at the level he has this season - and earn a maiden Brazil call-up - is a testament to his quality and self-belief.

Read more on the contenders for player of the season

Image source, Getty Images

With fifth position looking set to be a Champions League spot for a second consecutive season, the form of Chelsea and Liverpool has left the door open for another team to possibly pip them to that place.

Brentford, Everton, Fulham and Brighton might not have expected to be fighting for a place in Europe's top club cup competition at the beginning of the campaign, but with all four within six points of fifth place it could yet become a reality.

At the time of writing, supporters think the eight-placed Toffees are most likely to reach that spot, with the current poll standings looking like this:

• Brentford - 21%

• Everton - 60%

• Fulham - 7%

• Brighton - 12%

Add your choice here

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

An England captain and a Brazil centre-forward - two more Brentford firsts and just another incredible week to be a Bees fan!

It was great that Jordan Henderson was given the armband by Thomas Tuchel for England's draw with Uruguay.

And it was superb to see Igor Thiago achieve his dream of a Brazil cap when he came on during the second half of their friendly defeat by France.

Even though Henderson has, of course, played for England for years, it still makes you proud as a Brentford supporter to enjoy moments like this.

Thiago's achievement goes against the reported wisdom of Brazil fans not rating players who don't play for the biggest clubs and it was great to see the genuine joy that his debut brought him.

It wasn't all happiness for Bees players, however, with Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathan Collins, with Republic of Ireland, and Yehor Yarmoliuk, with Ukraine, all having their World Cup finals qualifying hopes ended in the play-off semi-finals.

However, Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen, and Jamaica's Ethan Pinnock, still have a chance of joining the likes of Henderson, Thiago, Scotland's Aaron Hickey and Norway's Kristoffer Ajer in the finals - fitness permitting.

Although it's nice to have a break as a fan sometimes, it would have been good for the Premier League to return over the Easter weekend.

Our FA Cup exit means it's nearly another fortnight until our next game - against Everton.

At least those players who have been away on international duty will get a break afterwards, but three weeks is a long gap at such a vital stage of the campaign.

Hopefully some of the injuries in the camp will clear up and the non-internationals can have a rest to set us up for what could be an exciting finale to the season.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Over recent weeks, it has felt like the race that nobody wants to win.

Aston Villa,Liverpool and Chelsea have all been dropping points as they battle for a Champions League spots.

A win before the international break has given Villa just a little more breathing room in fourth, while defeats for Arne Slot's Reds and Liam Rosenior's Blues have left both clubs struggling to cement their place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

Their respective difficulties have given other teams, who at the start of the season could only have dreamed of the chance to secure Champions League football for next campaign, an opportunity to do just that.

With it all but certain that the Premier League will get an extra Champions League place for the second consecutive season, fifth is set to be enough to secure that ticket.

Brentford and Everton are just three points off that coveted spot, while Fulham are five points away and Brighton six.

Reaching form at the right time could be crucial, and if we take a look at the points-per-game record of those four chasing teams from their past seven results, it could give us an idea as to who has the best chance of toppling the traditional 'big six' teams for that final place.

If Brentford's PPG continues into the final seven games, it would take them to 56 points, while Everton's PPG of 1.7 would take them to 58 and just ahead of the Bees.

Fulham, meanwhile, have a form of 1.4 PPG that would take them to 54 points and not quite enough to overtake the two above, and in-form Brighton with 1.7 could get them to 55 points but that too would not take them past Brentford and Everton.

With so much left to play for and the pressure on the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool - who still have play each other - to reach their Champions League target, it could leave an opening for someone else to go on the ultimate European adventure.

Of the four sides eyeing an unexpected Champions League opportunity, who do you think has the best chance of sneaking into that fifth spot?

Make your choice here

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled that Brentford should have been awarded a penalty in their 2-2 home draw with Wolves on 16 March.

But it was also decided that the VAR was correct not to intervene as there was no clear and obvious error.

The Bees were 2-0 up in the 41st minute when Kevin Schade was held back by Andre.

Referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue and there was no monitor review advised by the VAR, Paul Howard.

Wolves came back strongly in the second half to score twice and earn a point at the Gtech.

The KMI Panel said that the holding was "sustained" and voted 4:1 in favour of a penalty.

It was a split 3:2 vote in support of no VAR intervention.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

If anyone is in need of an international break, it is definitely a tired-looking Brentford.

With injuries hitting us severely for the first time this season, the players will be able to have some well-earned time off.

Even those going away on international duty will have a bit of a break when they return as, like most Premier League clubs, we are not playing again for nearly three weeks.

The number of players currently out of action has led to more and more youngsters on the bench. At Leeds on Saturday, we had five teenagers, a 21-year-old and only three experienced players making up our replacements.

As a result, Keith Andrews only made one substitution and it is a huge credit to the 10 men who played the entire match that we picked up a well-deserved point.

It was a result I would have taken before kick-off, but it would have felt like an even better point had we beaten Wolves earlier in the week.

The draw was largely down to an excellent display by the defence, which coped with everything Leeds threw at it.

Ethan Pinnock has lost his regular place after many years and made only his fourth Premier League start of the season - but produced a great display.

The centre-half is Brentford's third longest-serving player and I was delighted to see that the timing of his tackles is still superb and he is still powerful in the air.

Pinnock, with Jamaica, Republic of Ireland duo Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathan Collins, plus Denmark's Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard, if fit, can park dreams of a possible 'European tour' with the Bees for now as they try to get their respective countries into this summer's World Cup.

It is going to be an interesting fortnight for Brentford fans watching their fortunes - especially as the Republic of Ireland could play Denmark for one finals place.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leeds and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

Paul: Leeds played as if they are frightened of losing rather than trying to win. They looked a different side after the late changes. Be brave!

Andrew: A good point against a team in form competing for a top-six place. However, being draw specialists might not be enough. We need to find our mojo again. We aren't playing with the dynamic we are capable of and not creating enough chances as a result.

Chris: Good point in the end - they are a good side pushing for a European place and have good players. The teams cancelled each other out on the day. Poor game for both set of fans.

David: A hard-fought point against a well-organised and dangerous top-eight side. Going into the international break outside the bottom three is good and takes the pressure off. Hopefully in the final run-in we will see more of Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto and Noah Okafor, especially in the home games, to create more goals and keep us in the Premier League.

Brentford fans

Zachary: Felt we set up for a draw. While fans don't want to see that, it is probably a good point considering how thin our squad is right now, particularly at right-back and in midfield. I do also think fatigue is getting to the players, with Ethan Pinnock and Keane Lewis-Potter cramping up near the end. That's concerning with a very limited selection of first-team players on the bench. Can't fault the lads for effort, though.

Jane: It wasn't a great watch. A missed opportunity? Yes, but at this stage of the season it's tough for teams with fewer resources as the injuries hit, and the bench features very few players who can change a game. It's going to be tough for the Bees to stay in seventh.

Gavin: A masterclass in defending against a decent opposition who were trying hard to win the game. With the additional injuries to Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer, I wasn't surprised by the shape, and great to see Pinnock not putting a foot wrong. It's definitely a point gained, in previous seasons with the injury woes they would have lost this game. With the remaining away games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool on the last day, three defeats is not unlikely. However, who knows with this team under Keith Andrews.

Ian: A well-deserved point. The closing down of space by the Brentford team was immense. Time for a recharge of the 'league' batteries for the final seven games.

Image source, Getty Images

The fight for Champions League football appears to be turning into the race that no-one wants to win.

For the second year in a row, it is all but certain that the top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for next season's Champions League.

But shock defeats and inconsistency means the form of the so-called top sides is falling off a cliff.

Defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea have opened the door for a team to come out of left-field and clinch a coveted Champions League place.

Could it be Everton? Brentford? Even Fulham, 10th-placed Brighton and teams below remain in touch.

Before Monday's draw with Wolves, Brentford played a video on screens around Gtech Community Stadium showing pre-season predictions from pundits, including Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, who said the Bees would be involved in a relegation battle after losing Thomas Frank to Tottenham.

The video ended by playing lyrics from Stormzy's song Shut Up, with those two words displayed in giant letters across the screen.

Under Keith Andrews Brentford have largely done their talking on the pitch. Rather than looking over their shoulders in the relegation battle, they have written their name into the conversation for European qualification - something never done in the club's history.

The Bees could not capitalise on teams above them dropping points on Saturday, the goalless draw a missed opportunity to go level on points with Chelsea and edge closer to securing not only a spot in Europe, but a push for the Champions League places.

"It's tight," Andrews said after the game. "The league is pretty condensed in that part. Seven to go.

"We have done unbelievably well to get where we are in the league. We deserve to be where we are and it'll take a mammoth effort to stay there.

"Everything we can give, we will give, like they do all the time. The intentions are always good from our players. They are always positive, embrace the occasion and challenge and I would expect it'll lift them for the last seven games."

Read more on the race for top five

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 3-0 Chelsea

• Fulham 3-1 Burnley

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their goalless draw with Leeds: "A good point. We were tested this week with a disruptive week and a couple of knocks in training.

"You come into a place where they are pitching this as a massive game in their quest to do what they need to do. We have our own quest and all I was feeling as I was watching was immense pride of what the players do consistently and take every challenge on in the right manner. I really enjoyed us tonight.

"We have done unbelievably well to get where we are in the league. We deserve to be where we are and it'll take a mammoth effort to stay there.

"We approached the game really well. First half we were excellent and controlled large parts of it and really frustrated them. Second half we knew there'd be a response and had a young bench, so it was always going to be the challenge of players sticking with it.

"Everything we can give, we will give, like they do all the time. The intentions are always good from our players. They are always positive, embrace the occasion and challenge and I would expect it'll lift them for the last seven games."

Did you know?

• This was Brentford's 14th goalless draw in the Premier League, with only Crystal Palace (19) playing out more 0-0 draws since the Bees' debut campaign in the competition in 2021-22.

• Having lost seven of their first eight away Premier League games this season (W1), the Bees have since lost just one of their last eight matches on the road (W5 D2).

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford had the opportunity to move level on points with Chelsea and just one behind Liverpool in fifth with a win at Elland Road but you would not have thought that carrot was dangling above them in what was a lacklustre performance.

The Bees had just two shots won target, mustering up an expected goals tally of 0.46.

It was the third consecutive draw in the Premier League for Keith Andrews side, who appear to have lost that cutting-edge that has seen them defy the odds many times this season.

Perhaps it is just a case of them running out of steam in what has been a season of exceeding expectation to date.

Either way, it appears the international break has come at the right time for Brentford, who still have the opportunity to challenge for a spot in Europe.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made just one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace last time out.

Jayden Bogle comes into the eleven in place of Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was sent off in the draw at Selhurst Park.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Justin, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Bijol, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Perri, Bornauw, Gruev, Longstaff, Tanaka, Gnonto, James, Oakfor, Piroe

Brentford boss Keith Andrews makes two changes to the side that were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Wolves.

Ethan Pinnock and Yehor Yarmolyuk come in from the off with Dango Ouattara dropping to the bench.

Mikkel Damsgaard misses out through injury.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg, Henderson, Jensen, Yarmolyuk, Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter

Subs: Valdimarsson, Nelson, Ouattara, Donovan, Furo, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson, McManus

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Liverpool (12:30)

• Fulham v Burnley (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds v Brentford (20:00)

Kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Chelsea".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

The way Brentford will set up is almost tailor-made to face Leeds, really, to hit them on the counter-attack.

Keith Andrews's side are pushing for Europe and they will be annoyed they let a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Wolves on Monday.

There could be some nervy moments for the home fans when the Bees break forward, but I am still going to back Leeds to get the job done at Elland Road.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United's incredible home record under the lights at Elland Road may have come to an end last month but they'll be looking to start afresh with the visit of European hopefuls Brentford on Saturday night (20:00 GMT).

Prior to the 1-0 defeat against Manchester City on 28 February, the Whites had gone 25 home games unbeaten in matches that kicked off at 17:00 or later.

A five-match winless streak in the league has left them 15th in the table, a mere three points above the drop zone with eight games to go.

Whites drawing blanks

They've failed to score in their last three, a record compounded by top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing a penalty against Crystal Palace last week. He's without a goal in his last five in all competitions.

The striker has earned an England recall for his overall form this season, but Leeds are really suffering now that his December hot streak – which included the equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium – has tailed off.

Per 90 minutes, he performed better in almost every attacking metric before the turn of the year.

The last player to find the net in the league for Daniel Farke's side was the manager's compatriot, Anton Stach, who has similarly been rewarded for his displays this season with a first Germany call-up in four years.

Stach has three league assists to his name and no player in the division has created more chances from set-plays this season than the Leeds midfielder (27, level with Bruno Fernandes).

League positions aside, recent history suggests Leeds have cause for optimism going into this one. They've lost just one of their last 16 home league games against Brentford, winning seven and drawing eight, and are unbeaten in seven since a 1-0 loss in February 2015.

Keith keeping calm

Seventh-placed Brentford's solid showings since the start of February – just one defeat in seven league games – have kept them firmly in the hunt for a maiden European adventure.

A significant turnaround in their away form has helped that cause massively. Keith Andrews' side lost seven of their first eight away Premier League games this season, tasting victory just once, but have now won five of their last seven on the road.

Reflecting on throwing away a two-goal lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, Andrews said: "I think it's really simple. If we produce a second-half performance again, we will struggle. If we produce first-half performances of that level, then we will have a good end to the season."

One of his goalscorers against Wolves, Igor Thiago, is enjoying the best league campaign of his career, netting 19 Premier League goals to date. He could become just the third Bees player to score 20 in a top-flight season, along with Ivan Toney in 2022-23 and Bryan Mbeumo in 2024-25.

The centre-forward's brilliant return has landed him a first call-up to the Brazil national team, while Jordan Henderson – who scored Brentford's goal in December's draw between the two clubs – retains his spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Four of the last six league games between these sides have ended in draws, with one win apiece, but those Bees fans making the trip from west London to West Yorkshire will do so in a positive frame of mind.

Brentford have lost just one of their last 13 league games against newly promoted opponents, winning 11 and drawing the other.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Mikkel Damsgaard was on the grass, which is positive. We will give him every chance to play this weekend."

• Full-backs Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey remain unavailable with hamstring injuries, while Vitaly Janelt (metatarsal) and Josh Dasilva (knee ligament) are also out.

• Andrews said that Igor Thiago's Brazil call-up is a "proud moment" for Brentford as a club.

• Asked if striker Thiago, who is three goals behind Erling Haaland for the league's top scorer, could win the Golden Boot, he added: "He needs to keep striving and pushing hard. We will support him like we always have and hopefully he will keep scoring."

• On proving people wrong this season: "We have spoken a lot about the journey we have been on, which has been pleasing. It gives us a lot of pride for what we stand for."

• He added his side are on a "really good run" and have a "quiet, calm confidence" about how they approach the game against Leeds.

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

Got a question about Brentford? Get in touch and we'll seek answers

England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).

There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.