Brentford vs. Crystal Palace – News and Probable Lineups

Brentford’s quest for a Champions League spot continues on Sunday, as they host Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium for their second-last Premier League match this season.

Currently in eighth place with 51 points, Brentford requires Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth to drop points to clinch a Champions League place. Crystal Palace, sitting in 15th with 55 points, may understandably be focusing on their upcoming Conference League final.

Match overview

The likelihood of Brentford qualifying for the Champions League seems slim; they need to close a four-point gap to sixth-placed Bournemouth and hope that Aston Villa not only finishes fifth but also wins the Europa League.

Keith Andrews’s team is just two points away from seventh-placed Brighton, which holds a Conference League spot; thus, they could still aspire for European football, though only three points separate them from 12th-placed Sunderland.

This season, the head coach has arguably outperformed expectations, especially since many believed the team would struggle after losing manager Thomas Frank in the summer and key players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard.

Brentford has faltered recently, securing just one win in their last eight top-flight matches, along with five draws and two losses. A defeat this weekend would mark their third loss in four outings.

During this eight-match run, the hosts failed to score in four games, yet they managed to achieve four clean sheets.

Brentford’s performances at the Gtech Community Stadium have not been particularly thrilling, as they have won only once in their last seven Premier League home fixtures; however, they remain unbeaten in their last four outings there, recently defeating West Ham United 3-0 on May 2.

Crystal Palace holds no danger of relegation, as their total of 44 points is eight clear of 18th-placed West Ham United. However, their survival can be attributed to the inconsistent performances of the teams around them.

The Eagles have gone without a victory in their last five Premier League matches, with Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City marking their third loss in that stretch.

Additionally, it was the third occasion in four league matches where they conceded three or more goals, and they have also struggled to find the net, managing to score in only two of their last five games.

Oliver Glasner’s team triumphed over Brentford in their previous encounter at Selhurst Park in November 2025, winning 2-0 through a strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta and an own goal from Nathan Collins.

Palace’s away record has been disappointing, suffering defeats in each of their last three away matches in the Premier League.

Team News

Brentford’s squad is mostly fit, meaning forwards Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade, and Dango Ouattara are likely to be available for selection.

Mikkel Damsgaard is expected to occupy the number 10 role, particularly in the absence of Fabio Carvalho, and could play ahead of midfielders Yehor Yarmoliuk and Mathias Jensen.

Nathan Collins has excelled at the back this season, and Sepp van den Berg is the leading candidate to partner him in central defence.

While Glasner will be mindful of Palace’s Conference League final on May 27, it may make sense to give his starters minutes on Sunday to maintain their match fitness.

This could lead to appearances from players like Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada in central midfield, while Maxence Lacroix may start in defence.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will be aiming to net his 12th Premier League goal of the campaign; however, his effectiveness in attack will hinge on the service from forwards Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino.

Brentford probable starting XI:

Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

Crystal Palace probable starting XI:

Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino

Brentford stands to lose significantly more on Sunday than their opponents. Although they have faced difficulties recently, Crystal Palace has not been performing well domestically.

Additionally, Crystal Palace is likely to implement several tactical changes during the match, and their focus on European competition may provide Brentford with an opportunity.