View from the Opposition: "They have huge individual threats"

Match previews

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Crystal Palace travel to Brentford for the final away Premier League fixture of our season on Sunday (15:00 BST) – ahead of the game, opposing manager Keith Andrews talked about what he expects from Palace.

Factfile

Manager: Keith Andrews
Nickname: The Bees
Position: 8th
Ground: Gtech Community Stadium
Founded: 1889 (137 years ago)

In their manager's words...

Brentford manager Andrews is a on a six-person shortlist for the Premier League Manager of the Season award, having led the Bees to the verge of European qualification in his very first season at the club.

His side lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture against Palace, but that was a rare blip in an otherwise excellent season.

Andrews was asked at his pre-match press conference what side he expects the Eagles to play, with just ten days between this game and the UEFA Conference League Final in Leipzig.

But he said Oliver Glasner's decision on his team selection is "very much his prerogative."

Quote Icons

They will be a very difficult team to beat
—Keith Andrews

"Whoever is on the pitch, they will be a very difficult team to beat.

"They are a really tricky opponent, who are well organised without the ball. They also have huge individual threats that we need to be very aware of."

Andrews was also asked about the club's trio of end of season nominees with striker Igor Thiago and defender Michael Kayode up for the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year respectively.

"It is huge for the club to get that type of recognition. That doesn't happen without everybody rowing in the same direction and pushing really hard."

Brentford team news

Brentford have no fresh injury concerns for Sunday's game, but will have a few players still missing.

“It’s very similar to what we had last weekend,” Andrews updated in his press conference. “Some players got some minutes: Jordan [Henderson], Vitaly [Janelt], Aaron Hickey.

"We’re confident we can play well in these last two games.

"We’ve got more options to come off the bench and impact it, but we’ll have to play really well to get the points needed.”

Rico Henry is back in training, but won't be back for the Palace game, having not appeared since March due to a hamstring injury.

Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo remain sidelined due to ACL injuries.

The Boss: Keith Andrews

Following the departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham last summer, many predicted Brentford could struggle in their first Premier League campaign without the charismatic Dane at the helm.

But former set piece coach and Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews has taken them onto new heights, and is now on the verge of leading the club to a first ever European campaign.

He has also had to deal with departures. Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, themselves both crucial in mitigating Ivan Toney’s departure in 2024, left West London for pastures new last summer.

Forward Igor Thiago has so far ensured they are not missed, with his timely return to action after missing the majority of last season through injury. The signings of Jordan Henderson, Kayode and Dango Ouattara ensure the squad is still stacked with talent.

Andrews represented Ireland 35 times during a 16-year career, with the majority of his appearances at club level coming for Wolves, MK Dons and Blackburn.

Following retirement he worked for Sky Sports as a pundit, before later joining Sheffield United's backroom coaching team under Chris Wilder. Appointed set-piece coach at the Bees in the summer of 2024, Andrews was promoted to the role of manager just 12 months later.

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-0 Brentford | Palace TV+

Stat Attack

Palace have won their final away league game in just one of the last six seasons (D2 L3), beating Wolves 3-1 in 2023/24.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 11 goals in Premier League London derbies, the second most of any Palace player behind Wilfried Zaha (15).
Following the 2-0 win in November, Palace are looking to complete the league double over Brentford for the first time since 1957/58 when beating them on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Match Details

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Sunday, 17th May
15:00 BST
Premier League
Gtech Stadium
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.

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