London rivals Brentford and Crystal Palace lock horns at the Gtech Community Stadium on the first Sunday of the new Premier League season.
While Thomas Frank’s team secured a fourth successive season of top-flight football with room to spare last term, they did fail to hit the heights of previous campaigns.
Having placed 13th and ninth in their first two seasons in the Premier League, the Bees finished in 16th spot last term, 13 points clear of the relegation zone.
Frank and Co will be looking to improve on that this time around and they will aim to hit the ground running when London neighbours Crystal Palace come calling.
Following his appointment as Palace boss in February, Oliver Glasner guided his side to a commendable tenth place finish.
The Eagles ended last season with six wins from seven and they will be looking to carry that momentum into the forthcoming campaign.
How the bookies view it: Bees to edge out the Eagles
Brentford head into their opening Premier League game of the season as 13/10 favourites on Bet 365.
An all square affair at the Gtech Community Stadium has been priced up at 5/2 with William Hill, while Crystal Palace are 2/1 outsiders on Bet 365 to collect all three points from this capital clash.
Head to head: Stalemate in store on Sunday?
Five of the overall six Premier League meetings between the pair have seen the spoils shared, with last season’s corresponding fixture ending 1-1. The same scoreline on Sunday can be backed at 6/1 on Bet 365.
Crystal Palace did claim a 3-1 win when the two sides last crossed paths at the tail end of 2023, with the now departed Michael Olise notching twice on that occasion.
Players to watch: Eze to inspire Eagles?
Crystal Palace's hopes of kicking off the season with a win will likely rest on the shoulders of star man Eberechi Eze. The England international registered six goal involvements across his final five Premier League appearances last season, making him an eye-catching option for a goal or an assist on Sunday at 11/10 on Bet 365.
Yoane Wissa finished last season as Brentford’s top scorer (12) so the DR Congo forward merits consideration for an anytime strike at a chunky 3/1 on Bet 365.
Predicted line-ups
Brentford will be without defensive duo Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry as they continue to recover from long-term injuries
Having joined the club from Marseille over the summer, Ismaila Sarr could make his competitive debut for Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Brentford: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Nørgaard, Jensen; Mbuemo, Janelt, Schade; Wissa.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Andersen, Riad; Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Saar, Eze, Edouard
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score is a tad too short to side with here at 8/13 but packaging it up with Will Hughes to commit a foul will bring about an appealing 20/23 (Bet 365) Bet Builder.
BTTS would have been the right wager in 14 of Brentford's 19 Premier League home games last season and the same selection would have also generated profit from six of Palace’s final eight road trips last term.
To round off the Bet Builder, I’m happy to go with the aforementioned Hughes to commit a minimum of one foul .
The Eagles’ designated hatchet-man was averaging almost two fouls per 90 last season and he should get on the wrong side of the referee at least once during this all-London affair.
This English Premier League match between Brentford and Crystal Palace will be played on Aug 18, 2024 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brentford vs Crystal Palace prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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