Brentford: continuity and an encouraging pre-season

Brentford head into the new campaign with plenty of confidence. Keith Andrews enjoyed a strong first season in charge, guiding the Bees into the European qualification race, where they ultimately missed out only on a tiebreaker. The club has largely preserved its core squad, while their summer preparations produced some eye-catching results, including a 4-2 victory over Rennes and a stunning 7-0 demolition of Eintracht.

The London side have also added several reinforcements, with Mamadou Sangare, Jaidon Anthony, Callum Wilson, and Yannick Schuster joining the squad. Michael Kayode has also remained at the club. One area Brentford will be eager to improve is their finishing. They ranked among the Premier League's best teams for creating big chances last season, but their inability to convert those opportunities regularly cost them points.

Tottenham: De Zerbi brings fresh ideas

Tottenham are entering the season with a very different outlook after a disappointing previous campaign. Roberto De Zerbi has begun putting his stamp on the squad, and the early signs have been positive, with Spurs going unbeaten throughout all seven of their pre-season fixtures.

There have also been significant changes to the squad. Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, and Djed Spence have departed, with Antonín Kinský, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Andrew Robertson expected to help fill the gaps. De Zerbi is still working on the attacking structure, but Tottenham already appear more energetic and ambitious than they did last season.

Match facts and head-to-head record

Tottenham have won four of their last five meetings with Brentford.

Spurs have scored at least twice in nine of their last 12 encounters with the Bees.

Brentford have recorded just one victory over Tottenham in 13 meetings during the 21st century.