Match Preview and Broadcast Details
Brentford is set to host Tottenham Hotspur in the opening Premier League London derby of the new season. The match will take place on Saturday, August 22, at the Gtech Community Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 pm UK and Ireland time. Coverage for Sky Sports customers begins at 5 pm.
For Sky Sports subscribers, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League channels. Additionally, subscribers can access the match through the Sky Sports app by navigating to the ‘Watch’ section. Non-Sky customers have the option to stream the game using a NOW Day or Month pass, which provides access to all 12 Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams without a contract.
Team News and Managerial Insights
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews held a press conference ahead of the match, discussing the team’s ambitions for the 2026/27 season and their summer transfer activities. Andrews expressed satisfaction with the club’s transfer business, noting that four new players have been brought in to strengthen the squad. He highlighted that the current squad depth is improved compared to 12 months prior, and the team possesses strong cohesion and understanding of their playing style.
Among the new signings, Mamadou Sangare is expected to make his Premier League debut for Brentford. Andrews confirmed that fellow new arrivals Jannik Schuster, Jaidon Anthony, and Callum Wilson could also feature in the match. Andrews spoke positively about Wilson, describing him as an “amazing professional” and a “goalscorer” who has integrated well into the team. He also mentioned the potential for Wilson and Igor Thiago to play together, emphasizing Wilson’s experience as invaluable for the dressing room.
For Tottenham, manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro will miss the opening fixture. Van de Ven, recently named Tottenham’s new captain, sustained a minor issue during the pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia. Porro is working towards full fitness after returning late to pre-season following his participation in the World Cup with Spain. Other players sidelined for Tottenham include Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, and Mo Kudus. However, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, and new signing Mateus Fernandes are available for selection.
Season Expectations and Head-to-Head
Brentford will be looking to build on their performance from the previous season, where they finished ninth in the league table. Andrews stated that the ambition for the current season is to improve, acknowledging that expectations have shifted. He noted that the team is in a much better starting position compared to the previous year and is ambitious to achieve something significant.
Tottenham, under Roberto De Zerbi, is aiming for a much-improved campaign after securing their Premier League status on the final day of last season. Andrews acknowledged De Zerbi as a “very, very good coach” and recognized that Tottenham will present a significant challenge. He believes Brentford’s ability to play in different ways and be unpredictable is a strength that can cause problems for any opponent.
In their two encounters last season, Tottenham secured a 2-0 victory against Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the return fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw.
Source: skysports.com