Brentford prepare to build on an impressive debut campaign under head coach Keith Andrews for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The Bees secured a magnificent ninth-place finish last term, comfortably re-establishing themselves in the top half of the table despite initial pre-season worries following Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham.
Keith Andrews’ seamless transition from set-piece specialist to head coach earned the Irishman a contract extension through to 2032, proving the club’s famous data-driven model remains as robust as ever.
With new arrivals adding depth to an already well-drilled squad, Brentford will be looking to push even closer towards European contention this season.
Read on for all the Brentford stats for the upcoming 2026/27 Premier League season, including the Bees’ transfer business, a dissection of their key players, plus a tactical analysis of Keith Andrews.
Brentford opening fixtures 2026/27 Premier League
Keith Andrews’ second season in charge starts with a blockbuster London derby as Brentford host Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium on opening weekend. A week later, the Bees head to Yorkshire for a tricky clash against Leeds United at Elland Road. Brentford return home in early September to face Sunderland, before travelling south to face Marco Rose’s Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Their opening stretch concludes with a Friday night London derby against Chelsea under the lights.
| Date | Opponent | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd August | Tottenham (H) | 5:30pm |
| Sunday 30th August | Leeds (A) | 2pm |
| Saturday 5th September | Sunderland (H) | 3pm |
| Saturday 12th September | Bournemouth (A) | 3pm |
| Friday 18th September | Chelsea (H) | 8pm |
Brentford’s key players for 2026/27 Premier League
Brentford top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Igor Thiago
- Key stat: Only Erling Haaland scored more Premier League goals last season than Thiago’s tally of 22.
The 25-year-old Brazilian enjoyed a sensational breakout campaign in West London last term, firmly putting to rest any lingering memory of Ivan Toney’s exit. Thiago proved to be an absolute menace for opposition defenders, combining raw physical presence with ruthless penalty-box finishing. After racking up 22 league goals to finish second in the division’s scoring chart, Thiago enters the 2026/27 campaign as Brentford’s undisputed focal point in attack and a genuine Golden Boot contender.
Brentford primary playmaker: Mikkel Damsgaard
- Key stat: Damsgaard created 42 chances for Brentford in the Premier League last term.
The Danish international has evolved into the creative heartbeat of Keith Andrews’ side. Operating primarily in the central attacking midfield role or dropping into pockets on the left, Damsgaard pulled the strings throughout the 2025/26 campaign, registering four goals and four assists while carving out 42 chances. His vision, set-piece accuracy, and ability to unlock stubborn low blocks will be crucial once again as Brentford look to dominate matches in the final third.
Brentford card magnet and top tackler: Michael Kayode
- Key stat: Kayode averaged 1.76 tackles per 90 in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Locking down the right-back spot after making his move from Fiorentina permanent, the 22-year-old Italian full-back became an indispensable weapon in Keith Andrews’ side. Along with delivering heavy defensive workload – ranking among the highest in the Premier League for total tackles and clearances – Kayode shared the team high for bookings (8 yellow cards) alongside Vitaly Janelt. His aggressive 1v1 defending and long-throw specialty make him a central figure in Brentford’s physical, high-intensity setup.
Brentford rising star: Yehor Yarmolyuk
Yehor Yarmolyuk continues his steady rise into one of the Premier League’s most complete young midfielders. The 22-year-old Ukrainian made significant strides last season, scoring his first goal for the club and posting a team-high 94% pass completion in central midfield. Under Andrews’ guidance, Yarmolyuk looks poised for a meteoric campaign in 2026/27.
Brentford 2026 summer transfers
Brentford have been active and strategic in the transfer market this summer. The Bees bolstered their defensive unit with the high-profile capture of German centre-back Jannik Schuster from Stuttgart, while adding proven Premier League goalscoring depth with Callum Wilson on a free transfer. Former Bournemouth winger Jaidon Anthony and midfielder Mamadou Sangare have also joined to add dynamic energy out wide and in central areas.
Departures have seen veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson leave on a free transfer to Chelsea, while Frank Onyeka completed a permanent move to Coventry City. Young goalkeeper Matthew Cox also joined Bristol Rovers on loan.
| Incomings | Outgoings |
|---|---|
| Jannik Schuster (from RB Salzburg) | Jordan Henderson (to Chelsea) |
| Jaidon Anthony (from Burnley) | Frank Onyeka (to Coventry) |
| Callum Wilson (from West Ham) | Ryan Trevitt (to Exeter City) |
| Mamadou Sangare (from Lens) | Ethan Laidlaw (to Falkirk) |
| Sam Sene-Richardson (from Chatham Town) | Tony Yogane (to Aberdeen) |
| Aidan Stokes (loan from New York Red Bulls) | Staitham Bowen (to Swansea) |
| Ethan Brierley (to Huddersfield) | |
| Ryan Trevitt (to Wigan) | |
| Conor McManus (to Gillingham) | |
| Matthew Cox (loan to Bristol Rovers) | |
| Romelle Donovan (to Sheffield United) | |
| Ben Krauhaus (to Falkirk) | |
| Michael Olakigbe (to WSG Tirol) |
Brentford tactical analysis and formation
Brentford’s team stats (average per game in 2025/26 Premier League)
- Corners: 5.12
- Shots on target: 4.82
- Shots on target conceded: 4.15
- Offsides: 1.62
Keith Andrews primarily utilises a dynamic 4-2-3-1 formation that balances defensive solidity with direct, explosive transitions. Having previously served as the club’s set-piece coach, Andrews continues to place massive tactical emphasis on dead-ball situations and long-throw routines, leveraging Michael Kayode’s monster throw-ins to create chaos inside the 18-yard box.
In possession, Brentford build with intent through a double pivot, often featuring Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen or Yehor Yarmolyuk. This system allows full-backs like Keane Lewis-Potter and Michael Kayode to overlap into advanced wide positions. Out of possession, the Bees transition into a compact mid-block, aggressively jumping to regain the ball in the middle third before releasing rapid wide attackers like Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade to service Igor Thiago.
Andrews looks set to evolve the Bees’ setup with greater tactical fluidity for the new season. The arrival of Mamadou Sangare brings extra bite and ball-carrying dynamism to central midfield, while Jaidon Anthony offers direct 1v1 threat out wide. Coupled with Jannik Schuster’s composure building out from the back, Brentford have the tools to mix their devastating directness with longer spells of sustained possession. The addition of Callum Wilson also gives Andrews the option to flex into a dual-striker system when chasing games, adding another layer of unpredictability to their attacking blueprint.
Brentford manager analysis
Keith Andrews stepped into the Brentford hotseat in June 2025 following Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Promoted internally from his role as set-piece coach, Andrews silenced sceptics by guiding the Bees to a highly impressive ninth-place finish in his debut season, collecting 16 wins and playing an attractive, high-octane style of football.
His immediate tactical impact and strong relationship with the squad convinced the board to award him a long-term contract extension through 2032 midway through the campaign. Blending modern positional structure with traditional physical power, Andrews has ensured Brentford remain one of the most tactical and feared assignments in the Premier League.
| Manager | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Andrews | Brentford | 45 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 40 |