Crystal Palace vs Brentford
Date: 21/08/2021
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Selhurst Park
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Fresh off what could possibly be described as the pinnacle of the last two Brentford generations, the Bees will travel to a rocked, and rocking, Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
Patrick Vieira’s only heard of the level of noise, and most likely only been shown clips or lectured on how loud Selhurst Park can be. On Saturday he will witness it firsthand, and he will need every shout and chant of the ‘12th man’ that can be mustered. Brentford will take with them only a couple of thousand of those who witnessed history being made last weekend in the club’s first top-flight win in 74 years. On top of that, there will be a whole truckful of momentum behind the team that takes the field on Saturday.
As lifeless as Arsenal were, Brentford were brilliant. They exploited weaknesses and pressed fearlessly, yet systematically. The confidence they held in their own style of play was similar to successful promoted teams over the past few years, such as Sheffield United (their first season) and Wolves. The question is: can they maintain it or, when bad luck befalls them – think Norwich and their injuries two seasons ago – will they succumb to the riches of the Premier League?
You would have to think not. They frustrate defensively and have options in attack – they won last week without Ivan Toney even registering a shot, yet he was nigh on the game’s best player.
From the first minute, Brentford had seven players within 18 yards of their own goal and comfortably thwarted Arsenal’s attacks, however half-hearted they were. The wide centre-backs are competent out wide and the centre midfielders have no problem spending energy to track back all the way to the six-yard line. All of this was clearly evident in 1st minute and upon the blocked shots of Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe in the 31st and 46th minutes respectively.
Attack-wise they also managed numbers in the box with their fullbacks bursting forward efficiently. Sergi Canós’s heart-warming, roof-bursting goal had these qualities on display; Brentford love getting to the touchline before cutting it back on the counter.
In possession, they create a wall around two to three players who approach and enter the box. The two centre midfielders hold their positions and, depending on the side they favour for that particular attack, the wing-back will come on the outside hoping to cross the ball. Whilst on the opposite side the wing-back also holds their position. In this way they have enough cover for an opposition counter and still muster numbers forward.
This will be important when defending against Crystal Palace. We have only seen what they are capable of in pre-season friendlies against lesser sides. Last week against Chelsea was a comically difficult opening fixture for Vieira and one that did inhibit us from fully understanding what his Palace is all about.
What we do know is that the Eagles won’t be a purely defend-for-your-life counter attacking team like they were last season. And that the new coach is more than willing to be intuitive in-game, which will most definitely keep the opposition guessing.
Three different formations were trialled but one thing seems most likely: Wilfried Zaha seems to be returning to the wide position where he has made his name. He started the game upfront in a 4-4-2 – a formation that hadn’t been tried all pre-season – and even then he had the freedom to do as he pleased and drift out wide. If Brentford made one mistake against Arsenal, it was constantly allowing their best attacker, Emile Smith Rowe, enough space to work in. If they make that mistake with Zaha, he is capable of landing the killer blow.
With three players set to return to the starting line-up – a staggering number to “return” in only the second matchweek – Palace will look immediately different. Even if they are already near polar opposites of last season. A more expansive, possession-based style will not completely desert the rigidity of last season – structure will still be important – but this weekend will be a much more judgeable fixture.
Team News
Crystal Palace
After overcoming a calf complaint, Joachim Andersen came on against Chelsea last week as Palace switched to a back three. Even in a difficult fixture, the Dane displayed his immense passing range and imposing figure defensively.
Christian Benteke also made a return last week and should start after a lengthy European Championship with Belgium.
Whilst Conor Gallagher will at least feature on the bench after being forced to sit out the match against his parent club last week.
Positive new for Michael Olise, who has set a return date in the weeks following the upcoming international break. Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew was suspect defensively and absent offensively playing in a largely unfamiliar attacking right wing role. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, an 18-year-old academy graduate, is a more traditional right winger, but Ayew may be afforded another opportunity in favour of the raw, and dizzyingly talented, Rak-Sakyi.
Brentford
The visitors should present with the exact same starting XI as last week, barring any mid-week mishaps.
Mathias Jansen has returned to training after injuring his foot at the Euros with Denmark. His return may also be following the international break.
Predicted Starting XIs
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; McArthur, Riedewald, Gallagher; Ayew, Benteke, Zaha
Brentford (3-4-1-2): Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Canós, Nørgaard, Janelt, Henry; Onyeka; Mbeumo, Toney
Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 2–1 Brentford
This score is hard to predict, there are many, many factors in play. Palace’s returning players, Brentford’s momentum, return of the Holmesdale support, Ivan Toney, Wilfried Zaha; it’s Premier League football.
This could be cagey or free-flowing and neither would be surprising. The home support have organised a display akin to that of times past, and this support should see Palace over the line.
