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Brentford vs Crystal Palace match preview: Bees will kick off 2024/25 Premier League season at home

Brentford will kick-off their 2024/25 Premier League season against Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The Bees’ will receive a boost through their new signing Fabio Carvalho who is available for selection in the match.

“He will be available for the team and for the squad,” Frank said. “He looked good in training. I think he is a very exciting player. I think he has got a lot of quality.”

Frank confirmed forwards Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa will be available for selection on Sunday to help bolster the attack.

There is hope around the club for potential additions to the squad before the summer transfer window closes on August 31st.

“I don’t have a specific position for you unfortunately,” Frank said. “I would like one or two more players in if possible. If it is not, then we are in a fine place.”

Frank’s biggest wish for the upcoming Premier League season is for his squad to stay fit. He is hoping for no injuries with the players he currently has.

“One wish is probably to have no injuries,” Frank said. “The fewest injuries in the league. If we get that then we’ll have a fantastic season.”

The focus heading into the match against Crystal Palace will be centered around quieting the threat Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze and forward Jean-Philippe Mateta provide.

Defending has been a point of emphasis throughout the preseason for Frank and the club.

During the last season, the team conceded many goals from crosses especially at the back post. Frank has been adamant about rectifying this issue heading into the match against Crystal Palace during this preseason.

“I hope we have fixed it,” Frank told the Sports Gazette. “Most likely we will still concede goals on the back stick this season. Hopefully, we will really minimize that. It’s something we’ve been working on. We will try both better to stop the crosses and also to defend the box better.”

Brentford conceded four goals in their final preseason match against VFL Wolfsburg on August 9th and the team should be motivated to concede less goals in the first Premier League match.

Right back Aaron Hickey and left back Rico Henry have been confirmed to be back “on the grass” and training with the team. The return of these two players should provide the squad with a boost defensively in the future.

A win against Crystal Palace would be the perfect beginning to the Premier League campaign. 

Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho will likely make their Premier League debuts in the match against Crystal Palace.

Frank has plenty of options in regard to the positioning of Carvalho in attack and midfield. Carvalho’s versatility is extensive across both wings, and he can also play as an attacking midfielder.

Frank views his best position as a left winger or an attacking midfielder.

“It’s probably the 10 [attacking midfield position] or when he comes off from the left,” Frank said. “But, either way in those spaces between the lines or when he drops a little bit to the side and starts creating that I would say is the best.”

The new boys will be hoping to lead The Bees’ to a win in their opening fixture of the Premier League.

Author

  • Jaden Dakwa

    I am a sports journalist and I have been writing about football since 2021. Sports, in general, have been a passion of mine since a young age. The Gunners in North London are definitely my favorite team, but I have overwhelming love for the sport of football as a whole. In that aspect of my life, not much has changed.

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