This 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 preview
For 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.
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 Coach
After 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.
Key Player
Who 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 Results
PREMIER LEAGUE: 9th
FA CUP: Fifth Round
LEAGUE CUP: Quarter-final
Top Scorer
Igor 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 Year
Find 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 Stands
Words by: BILLY THE BEE GRANT @Beesotted
Last 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.
Fixtures
AUGUST
22 Tottenham (H)
29 Leeds (A)
SEPTEMBER
5 Sunderland (H)
12 Bournemouth (A)
19 Chelsea (H)
OCTOBER
10 Aston Villa (A)
17 Liverpool (H)
24 Hull City (A)
31 Nott'm Forest (H)
NOVEMBER
7 Brighton (A)
21 Everton (H)
28 Man United (A)
DECEMBER
2 Arsenal (H)
5 Man City (H)
12 Fulham (A)
19 Newcastle (H)
26 Ipswich (A)
30 Coventry (A)
JANUARY
2 Crystal Palace (H)
6 Arsenal (A)
16 Brighton (H)
23 Everton (A)
30 Man United (H)
FEBRUARY
6 Nott'm Forest (A)
10 Crystal Palace (A)
20 Coventry (H)
27 Newcastle (A)
MARCH
3 Ipswich (H)
13 Sunderland (A)
20 Bournemouth (H)
APRIL
10 Tottenham (A)
17 Leeds (H)
24 Fulham (H)
MAY
1 Man City (A)
8 Aston Villa (H)
15 Liverpool (A)
23 Hull City (H)
30 Chelsea (A)
Title Odds
Brentford to win the Premier League title odds: 300/1
FFT Verdict
FourFourTwo 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.
