Brentford

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Elland Road will be abuzz with anticipation as Leeds United host Brentford on Sunday (14:00 BST) in a showdown between two sides that have had excellent starts to the new campaign.

Leeds won their opening two fixtures – both at Nottingham Forest, in the Premier League (1-0) and then the Carabao Cup (2-0) – adding further momentum to some summer transfers that have got pulses racing in West Yorkshire.

Brentford also have two wins from two, albeit they have earned their victories in more spectacular style. They smashed Tottenham 3-0 in their Premier League opener before running riot at Birmingham City in the EFL Cup to win 6-1.

In-form duo set for engaging duel

Last season, both Leeds and Brentford enjoyed fine campaigns, with their physical play vital to their success. So unsurprisingly, in the opening weekend of the season, the two teams to win the most duels were Leeds with 66 and Brentford with 62.

Although Brentford, in ninth, finished ahead of Leeds, who were 14th, last term, since December there has not been much between the two teams at all.

Since the start of December 2025, only five teams have won more points in the Premier League than the 39 accrued by Leeds United, while only three sides have won more points on home soil than the Whites in that time, with 24. Brentford have amassed a total of 37 points in the same time frame.

After two away games to start the season, there will be an eagerness among the Leeds fans to get their campaign up and running on home soil, especially with some new faces among a bolstered squad.

New goalkeeper James Trafford, who arrived in a £45m transfer from Manchester City, has impressed with two clean sheets. He has made five saves across his first two matches, while Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, a £34m arrival from Sassuolo, has also won supporters over quickly.

Harry Wilson also made the move to Leeds this summer, and he won't mind the sight of Brentford's red and white stripes on Sunday. There is no club he has scored against more often than the Bees, with four goals in the Premier League.

Brilliant Bees off to a flier

Even if Wilson were to net, Brentford would still fancy their chances of outgunning Leeds given their start to the campaign.

Keith Andrews' side should have won by more in their 3-0 victory over Spurs – Igor Thiago missed a penalty in that encounter – while against Birmingham, their Premier League class was clear as they rattled in six.

In what have been two very different types of tests so far, Brentford have been completely dominant.

The positive intent throughout the side was summed up by the fact that seven players had shots against Spurs. They also compiled an xG of 3.96 on the day, their most in a Premier League game since January 2025 against Southampton.

The win also allowed Brentford to show off their multidimensional attacking threat. In the build-up to their first goal, the Bees put together 15 passes, while they also had more shots from set pieces, with 14, than any other team in the division.

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Andrews said there are no injuries to his squad and the team "came through midweek really well".

• New defender El Hadji Malick Diouf is a "very good player". Andrews said: "I thought he had some eye-catching performances [last season at West Ham]. He fits what we are about, age profile, attributes and he comes into it in an already competitive squad."

• On 25-year-old Keane Lewis-Potter: "He is versatile, it is a super strength. Before we signed Malick I said we could play Keano in different positions throughout the season. I don't think that will change."

• On a positive start to the season: "The boys are in a good place. We've worked really hard to get into that place. The game gives you absolutely nothing - you've got to go on and earn it and that'll be no different on Sunday. We've come up against a really good side, competitive, aggressive, Elland Road , what that brings, the challenges that brings."

• He added: "We're in a good place. The boys are feeling really confident, enjoying the football, enjoying being together, so we will hopefully keep that going."

• Defender Ethan Pinnock was a "monster" for Brentford but "deserved a move" to Coventry because he hasn't had guaranteed football. He added: "He's one of the modern-day greats of this football club and he should be remembered like that."

• On his second season as Brentford boss: "Last year was a season of stabilisation, of regrouping and trying to build a new team and new dynamics, trust. I think we got there and this season's slightly different. We've got a really good foundation in place, we've added some really good players into the equation that give us that depth to be able to make changes and freshen things and look after players but doesn't change the outlook to keep pushing."

• Brentford boss Keith Andrews on injury issues: "We have had to be adaptable, versatile, you have to be that any way because things get thrown at you. What we have got is really good players in that position that have different attributes. You've seen Keane Lewis-Potter play, at times over the last two seasons. Back in last season and throughout pre-season he has been excellent. Rico [Henry] has had some injury concerns over the last period of time. We love Rico to bits as a player and what he brings and the fact that he has been at the club so long, he knows the culture of the club inside and out. He comes in to a competitive part of the pitch, Malick [Diouf], but he just adds to a strong area."

Listen to live commentary from Elland Road on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport Extra 2 and BBC Sounds from 13:55 on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Brentford? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford boss Keith Andrews says he is "really keen" to start working with El Hadji Malick Diouf after the full-back's arrival from West Ham in a deal worth £40m.

The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with a club option of another 12 months.

The Bees are paying the Hammers an initial £35m, with a further £5m in add-ons.

"He's a player that fits our ideal age profile, with lots of room to still develop," Andrews said of the Senegal international.

"He had a really good year at West Ham in his first season in English football, and some of the qualities and attributes he has as a full-back really add to an already impressive part of our team."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, for whom Brentford have agreed a deal worth up to £40m.

Here are some of your comments:

Mick: If Brentford manage to sign Diouf from West Ham it would enable Keane Lewis-Potter to move back to the left wing position for which he was originally bought. He looked a very exciting prospect when they bought him and would be a good option to rotate with Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade.

Charlie: Not sure unless we are letting somebody go. He's decent, but is he better than the players we already have? Only time will tell.

Marcus: Signing Diouf makes sense because they need more quality at left-back, especially with Lewis-Potter being more naturally attacking and Rico Henry's injury record. At 21, Diouf has a lot of potential and could become their long-term first-choice, but £40m still feels overpriced. However, if he develops as expected, it could end up looking like a very smart investment.

Tom: I don't think he's necessarily needed, but considering he's going for £40m it's a good bit of business and future-proofing.

Daniel: Great signing that fits how Keith Andrews plays. £40m seems expensive still for a Championship full-back but I feel that's just today's market.

Bob: Diouf went under the radar for me last year, but he sounds like a player with potential. The Bees have good cover for left-back with Lewis-Potter, Rico Henry, Jayden Meghoma and even Aaron Hickey competing, so a little surprised with this signing. As always, in Phil Giles we trust.

Tom: Left-back has been a problem position for us for years now. This should settle it now as he's quick, strong, robust and only going to get better. Some fans think we don't need him but Lewis-Potter is still a stopgap and more depth and competition can only be a good thing.

Jason: I'm sure the recruitment team know their stuff, and who am I to question, but I don't rate him. I feel like we might have bought a dud.

Image source, Getty Images

So, Brentford have reached a verbal agreement with West Ham to sign defender El Hadji Malick Diouf in a deal worth up to £40m.

The 21-year-old Senegal left-back would cost an initial £35m, with a further £5m in add-ons.

He has been the Bees' priority defensive target in this transfer window, but discussions had stalled this summer before being reopened this week.

Diouf played 34 times for the Hammers last season, providing five assists.

Is Diouf what Brentford need? Or is the price tag a concern? And what business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the Carabao Cup third round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played in the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14.

• Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough

• Manchester United v Brighton

• Manchester City v Norwich City

• Sunderland v Hull City

• Ipswich Town v Arsenal

• Coventry City v Aston Villa

• Bournemouth v Lincoln City

• Liverpool v Tottenham

• Chelsea or Luton Town v Leeds

• Millwall v Newcastle United

• Everton v Wolves

• Reading v Brentford

• West Ham v Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

Read more and see the full draw

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has described Ethan Pinnock as "one of the modern-day greats of the club" following his transfer to Coventry City.

His move ends the 33-year-old's seven-year stay at the club, having joined from Barnsley in July 2019.

Pinnock featured 216 times in all competitions for the Bees, including 117 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals.

"He is someone I always admired from afar because of the journey he went on to become a Premier League footballer," Andrews said. "I have always appreciated him for his qualities as a player and a man.

"We will miss him, but I sincerely wish him well in his next chapter."

Director of football Phil Giles added: "He is a Brentford legend. He was part of the fantastic group of players we signed in the summer of 2019, who elevated us from a mid-table Championship team to a side that could challenge for promotion.

"Without him, there would be no guarantee we would be where we are now so, for that reason, he will always be welcome back at Brentford any time."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Brentford are in the fortunate position of being able to choose their deals carefully after some excellent squad strengthening.

The Bees have been looking at left-back, with West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf strongly linked, but it hardly seems a matter of urgency with Keane Lewis-Potter able to play as a wing-back plus Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey also in the mix.

There is experienced striking cover in the shape of former England international Callum Wilson and an all-round depth to Keith Andrews' squad that was missing last season.

Do not expect it to be a hectic closing few days in the transfer window.

Michael Johnston, Brentford fan

Another forward option - particularly down the left - would take this window for Brentford from a nine to a 10 out of 10.

Mykhailo Mudryk's name has been doing the rounds in recent weeks and Brentford have history there, having chased him prior to his move to Chelsea.

Get someone like Mudryk in, and I don't think the transfer window could've gone much better for Andrews.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The third-round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday, 26 August following the conclusion of Preston North End vs Everton.

Nine Premier League clubs taking part in European football join the 23 first-round winners from across the English Football League.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace will enter the competition at this stage, as the top eight Premier League clubs from the 2025-26 season plus Crystal Palace as Conference League winners.

It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the third round tie between Preston North End and Everton, kicking off at 20:00 BST.

Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw is not regionalised.

However, before the match at Deepdale there will be a pre-draw determining which of the Champions League and Europa League clubs will play at home or away in round three.

In order to avoid potential scheduling issues, the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs cannot be drawn against each other in round three.

When the draw takes place, the first eight fixtures decided are the ones involving clubs in the Champions League and Europa League. The remainder of the draw will be an open draw as usual.

Due to clashes with opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League seasons, the third round will be played across two different weeks. They are the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September, 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live at St Andrew's said: "Brentford were outstanding, they've recruited ever so well in the summer.

"I think Keith Andrews is a fantastic young manager and learning and growing all the time.

"The players are buying into what he is doing and they are going to go from strength to strength.

"Great performance from Brentford."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

There are six Premier League teams in action on Tuesday in the second round of the EFL Cup, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Leicester

• Plymouth v Coventry

• Stoke City v Hull City

• Birmingham v Brentford (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Leeds (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off 19:45 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Birmingham City v Brentford" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Nottingham Forest match", for example.

See the full Carabao Cup second-round fixture list

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford have opened talks to sign West Ham full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The Senegal international, 21, was left out of the Hammers' squad for their home defeat by London rivals Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

The left-back was the subject of talks between the two clubs earlier in the transfer window, and those discussions have resumed this week.

However, a deal remains a work in progress for the west London club.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The season has started with a bang. With so many new coaches and major squad upheavals, I expected the unexpected and wasn't disappointed.

Hull City seeing off Manchester United raised the most eyebrows. Remember, United ended last season impressively and their hosts just about squeezed up from the Championship, via the play-offs. These are early days and Michael Carrick's side will improve, so need to panic yet. As for Hull, their performance hinted at something else.

Last season Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth didn't have the slightest hint of an inferiority complex when facing the super-clubs. The Tigers have started in the same style and I suspect others have now seen the light and will follow their lead.

Many are now embracing the idea of chaos, following the control-based dogma that held sway for so long. Some suggest this is "Kloppism" eclipsing the Guardiola doctrine. This is a bit simplistic but there is change in the air and it is being helped by the recent rule changes.

The game is speeding up, encouraging a quicker, more open style that lends itself to this organised chaos. It's early days, but already a pattern appears set for the season; reputations might count for little when up against hungry, youthful, fearless opponents.

Spurs and Aston Villa are seen as "big" clubs but size doesn't matter when confronted by a hunger, desire to work and the ensuing mayhem.

Just look at the way Brentford and Brighton closed both of them down at the weekend; Manchester City were within six minutes of losing to Bournemouth; Liverpool were seconds away from losing to Newcastle, a team supposedly gutted of quality and experience after those brutal summer sales.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Katie Stafford & Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport understands Coventry City are closing in on a deal for Brentford centre-back Ethan Pinnock.

The 33-year-old Jamaica international, who joined from Barnsley in 2019, is in the final year of his contract with the Bees.

He has made a total of 216 appearances for the West London club, scoring 12 times.

Pinnock played a vital role in Brentford's promotion to the Premier League but has since lost his place in their starting XI, featuring just eight times last season.

He would be the Sky Blues' ninth signing of the summer and second defensive reinforcement following the arrival of Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Birmingham City at St. Andrew's (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, Andrews confirmed there will be changes from Saturday's Premier League opener but would not confirm how many.

• He did reveal that Callum Wilson will "certainly" feature after making his Bees debut in the 3-0 win against Tottenham.

• He added that Wilson has "got up to speed really quickly" and "has played a big part already behind the scenes".

• On the reception Mamadou Sangare received from the fans after his man of the match performance, the Irish head coach said: "The connection between our players and fans is really important to me. The connection that we have as a football club. For them to take to a new player in that way straight away is quite special."

• After last season's run to the quarter-finals of this competition, Andrews believes Brentford are "in a good place to attack the domestic competitions on a really good level".

• Asked if it was possible for his side to repeat last season's deep cup run, he replied: "I certainly hope so. That's the plan. It would be nice to go all the way, but there are a lot of obstacles that will come before then. First up is Birmingham."

• On opponents Birmingham, Andrews said: "They've been on a very good journey with promotion and stabilisation. I've been to St Andrews on many occasions, and it will be a tough place to go."

Listen to full match commentary of Birmingham City v Brentford on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Tuesday.

Got a question about Brentford? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Rob: Most complete performance I've seen from a Bees team in the Premier League. Dominated from start to finish, Spurs hardly had a chance and 3-0 flatters them. I think Spurs need Igor Tudor to come in and steady the ship.

Mark: So refreshing to see the Bees playing positive, one-touch, attacking football. The link-up play is excellent and the addition of Sangare has really added strength. A totally dominant performance and a clean sheet!

Steve: Best ever opening-day performance at the highest level by Brentford. All the talk is about how bad Spurs were but credit Brentford who did not give them an inch for 90 minutes. Only one team was up to for the fight and Spurs know it was lucky it was only three. They were taken to the sword. Brentford deserve every plaudit.

Cliff: We taught Spurs a lesson that you need more than money to build a team. They could blow another quarter of a billion pounds and still wouldn't have what Brentford have. Passion, heart and togetherness from top to bottom, from the owner to the fans and programme sellers.

Tottenham fans

Tom: Same pathetic display from Spurs. The players should be ashamed of themselves. Brentford outfought, outplayed and outclassed the multi-million pound Spurs team who never turned up. No excuses, they were humiliated by a team that didn't cost anywhere near what Spurs cost.

Jon: What a shambolic performance. I was really looking forward to the season but, as always, Spurs fail to justify their fans' support. Disgraceful and abject, Gallagher and Bergvall especially useless. Another long and boring season ahead potentially.

Paul: The Spurs players looked as if they'd just met each other on the bus on the way to the stadium. Outfought, outran and especially outplayed. We desperately need to get a striker in as Richarlison is plainly not good enough and Solanke is hardly ever fit. Will Marmoush be the answer, (if we get him)? That remains to be seen, but we have to do something and quickly, because if we are going to defend that badly we're going to need to score two or three every game.

Amelia: Almost as bad as last season but I'm going to be generous and give them a month or so to settle in with all the changes. The only way is up...surely?

Brentford are preparing to make an improved £37m offer for West Ham United's Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, 21. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Brentford starting XI:

Caoimhin Kelleher: Calm as ever in goal and made the saves when he needed to. 6

Michael Kayode: Busy and a threat out wide. Opportunist goal to effectively clinch the victory. 7

Kristoffer Ajer: Read the game well throughout, Composed and dealt well with any Spurs danger, such as there was. 6

Nathan Collins: Missed early headed chance but it did not prove costly. Untroubled at the back. 6

Keane Lewis-Potter: Clinical finish for Brentford's opening goal and provided quality on the flanks. 7

Vitaly Janelt: Pounced for second goal and provided the sort of solid performance Brentford have come to count on. 7

Mathias Jensen: Dangerous from set-pieces and his shot helped set up Brentford's second goal for Janelt. 7

Dango Ouattara: Poor touch cost him a chance of a goal in the first half but his prodigious work-rate made a crucial contribution. 6

Mamadou Sangare: Outstanding. Won possession, used possession and set up Lewis-Potter's opening goal superbly. Club-record signing at £39m looks a bargain. 8

Igor Thiago: Physical presence worried Spurs. Marred an excellent performance by missing a second-half penalty. 7

Kevin Schade: Always looking to link with Thiago and worried the Spurs defence throughout. 6

Brentford substitutes:

Yehor Yarmoliuk (on 67, Jensen): Eased his way into the action. 5

Jaidon Anthony (on 67, Ouattara): Quiet introduction for debutant. 5

Aaron Hickey (on 76, Kayode)

Mikkel Damsgaard (on 76, Sangare)

Callum Wilson (on 83, Thiago)

Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Schuster.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players