Tottenham Hotspur’s first match in the post-Harry Kane era comes away at Brentford on Sunday.
Spurs’ all-time record scorer completed his £86.4m move to Bayern Munich on Saturday morning, bringing an end to a 12-month long transfer saga.
New head coach Ange Postecoglou has an almighty task on his hands to try and oversee the club’s rebuild, and he will make his Premier League bow in a tough trip to Brentford.
The Bees have proven a welcome addition to the top flight since promotion in 2021, and after winning away at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May, have now beaten each member of the ‘big six’ at least once.
Here’s 90min’s preview of their meeting this weekend.
Brentford vs Tottenham H2H Record (Last Five Games)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom |
Sky Sports Main Event Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HDR |
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United States |
Peacock Premium |
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Canada |
Fubo Canada |
Thomas Frank confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the dead leg picked up by Bryan Mbeumo in last week’s draw with Lille has subsided and he will be fit to start – the Cameroonian scored twice in Brentford’s last meeting with Spurs.
Rico Henry was ruled out that Lille stalemate but like Mbeumo is fit to start, while Josh Dasilva and new club captain Christian Norgaard are also available for selection once more.
Frank Onyeka, who picked up a knock last time out, will undergo a late fitness test.
With David Raya off to Arsenal, Mark Flekken will make his competitive debut for Brentford.
Brentford predicted lineup (4-3-3): Flekken; Hickey, Mee, Pinnock, Henry; Janelt, Jensen, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade
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With Kane now gone, this is now the perfect opportunity for Richarlison to prove his worth to Tottenham.
Brazil’s number nine was almost exclusively used as a touchline winger in his first season in north London, ending the campaign with just three goals in all competitions, and Postecoglou brushed off suggestions that he wouldn’t be fit for the short trip to west London in his pre-match press conference.
Tottenham will be without long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur, Bryan Gil and Ryan Sessegnon, while Fraser Forster is still nursing a back problem. Hugo Lloris remains on the lookout for a new club.
Summer signings Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven could all make their debuts.
Tottenham predicted lineup (4-3-3): Vicario; Emerson, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son
There’s good news and bad news for Tottenham.
The bad news is Brentford are one of the worst teams to come up against when you’re trying to start a rebuild and become a possession-based risk-taking side. Manchester United rocked up to the Gtech Community Stadium this time last year and were torn apart in a 4-0 loss.
That’s wherein the good news lies. Spurs have to make this first step into a new chapter and new identity, and it may be rough, but better days will come.
The Bees are among the Premier League’s most streetwise teams and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of plopping balls over the top for their pacy forwards to chase onto.
Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Tottenham
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