Brentford Premier League Odds: A tough season awaits the Bees

Brentford. The club who have been one of the models to follow in English football, are now at a key moment in their recent history. A lot has changed in this part of west London over the summer with the loss of their manager and several key players, while another could be set to depart in the coming days.

From the outside looking in, it looks like too much has changed too soon for the Bees and they could be in for a very tricky year in the Premier League. Below I deliver my thoughts on how I think their campaign will unfold using Betfred's Brentford Premier League Odds.

After seven years in charge of Brentford, Thomas Frank left to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer. There is no doubting that the Dane has earned such a move because he has consistently been one of the best coaches in the Premier League since Brentford arrived on the scene in 2021/22.

His departure is the toughest for the club to take this summer but it has been made worse with some key player departures. Bryan Mbeumo has gone to Manchester United to help try and drag them back into Europe, while Christian Norgaard has made the short move across to Arsenal.

Mbeumo has been Brentford's best player for a few years now and his goal contributions are going to be very tough to replace. Both he and Yoane Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them last term, and the latter is hoping to push through a transfer to Newcastle United this summer, which would be another crushing blow to the Bees.

Premier League Odds

Keith Andrews is the man succeeding Frank and he has a lot to live up to less resources. Given Brentford were well-compensated for Mbeumo (£71m) and the fact that Wissa should command a decent fee, there is hope that the money can be reinvested wisely, as it historically has at this club.

However, there is a lot for them to replace in one summer and this has all the ingredients of a disaster waiting to happen, which may be concerning for the supporters.

Transfer Business:

In: Antoni Milambo (£20m, Feyenoord), Michael Kayode (£14.7m, Fiorentina), Caoimhin Kelleher (£18,, Liverpool), Romelle Donovan (£3m, Birmingham City) and Jordan Henderson (free, Ajax).

Out: Bryan Mbeumo (£71m), Christian Norgaard (£10m, Arsenal), Mark Flekken (£8.4m, Bayer Leverkusen), Ben Winterbottom (loan, Barrow), Kim Ji-soo (loan, FC Kaiserslautern), Ryan Trevitt (loan, Wigan Athletic), Josh Dasilva and Ben Mee (both released).

There is no doubt that Brentford need to add goals to their side with the departure of Mbeumo, and with Wissa also likely on the way out. Gustavo Nunes is still learning his trade and cannot be relied upon at 19 years of age, while last year's arrival Igor Thiago was plagued with injuries in his first year so there are no guarantees of his fitness throughout the campaign.

This is something Andrews needs to address in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Football Odds

Antoni Milambo is a signing of promise from Feyenoord, and one who they look to turn into their next Mbeumo in the coming years. Romelle Donovan impressed for Brentford B on loan from Birmingham City last season after struggling at Burton Albion in the first half of the campaign.

He is a player that Birmingham were excited about but there was clearly something at play that denied him a chance of making a name for himself at his hometown club. He has the ability, so he is one to keep an eye on at Brentford in the next few years.

Caoimhin Kelleher has been one of the best understudy 'keepers in the Premier League for a number of years now and he deserves his shot to be a number one. He will know fellow signing Jordan Henderson well from their time shared at Liverpool.

He will bring plenty of experience and leadership to Brentford in a season where it seems needed more than it has been for quite some time.

Key Player: Nathan Collins

After showing promise at Burnley, Nathan Collins looked shaky during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers but his move to Brentford has worked wonders and he has quickly become one of the best defenders in the division in my opinion.

Not only does he read the game well, he's so tidy on the ball. He would often set Mbeumo away with a pin-point pass, or he could play in an attacker between the lines, the Irishman has got a lot in his locker.

It wouldn't be surprising to see someone come knocking for his services in the next few weeks but it is imperative that Brentford keep hold of him, as he will play an even bigger role than he is used to for the Bees.

Prediction: 17th

Right now there is a lot to be concerned about surrounding Brentford as they are having to deal with a lot of change all at once. However, how many times have we seen them lose a manager or key player and get it right on the money with the replacement? Quite often - it's just how they operate.

Andrews feels like a left-field appointment given how the current situation is unfolding but he was already working at the club, just like Frank was when he succeeded Dean Smith, and he ended up being a far better manager than him.

While I'm not saying Andrews is going to outshine Frank's accomplishments with Brentford, he may just surprise us.

I am expecting this season to be the trickiest Brentford have faced in several years but right now I'd say Brentford have a better survival chance over both newly-promoted sides Leeds United and Burnley. That third spot is a tough one to call right now and Brentford are in the conversation, but I think they'll just about scrape over the line - which given the circumstances would be excellent.

Today's Football Fixtures

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.