Now, with the Premier League season nearing its final stages, Brentford are on the cusp of completing an unprecedented accomplishment. Currently positioned eighth with 55 points and a goal difference of 10, the club is vying for their first-ever qualification for European football. With just three matches remaining, Brentford’s fate will be determined in part by their performance against bottom-half teams and their upcoming match against local rivals Fulham.
In the 2022/23 season, Brentford captured the public imagination when they enjoyed a record-breaking win over Manchester City. Their improvement wasn’t reflected in a league table survival, United came agonisingly close to beating Aston Villa to seventh place. Now, with four teams—including Bournemouth, Brighton, and Fulham—competing for the coveted eighth position, Brentford’s manager Thomas Frank remains optimistic about their chances for European qualification.
Aiming for Eighth Place
Brentford’s position on the table puts them against an ever-important tipping point in their search for European football. An eighth-place finish would be a new high-water mark in the Premier League for them. It would further unlock eligibility for a place in the Europa Conference League. This opportunity would be an incredible success story for a small club that has not made the leap upwards to qualifying for Europe.
The upcoming fixtures are pivotal. Brentford are up against two of the bottom-half teams in their next two matches. It provides them with a competitive advantage against their competitors. Their next game, arguably their biggest of the season so far, will be against Fulham in a much-anticipated west London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium. This match is expected to draw considerable attention and could significantly influence both teams’ aspirations for European qualification.
For clubs like Fulham and Crystal Palace, looking to land in eighth place, Brentford’s kind run-in is a real rarity. Bournemouth, Brighton, and Fulham recently joined their ranks. Despite those challenges, Brentford’s recent form and schedule have them as slight favorites as they seek a European berth.
The Stakes of European Football
European competitions qualification is the clubs’ most important priority in the Premier League. England now has five Champions League slots reserved for the top five teams in the prem. And the Europa League makes it the sixth place spot. Even FA Cup winners can qualify for this illustrious tournament.
The eighth position is extremely prized. In addition to being a great competitive outlet, it provides them with qualification for the Europa Conference League and an opportunity to showcase themselves on the European stage. If Manchester City wins the FA Cup, seventh place becomes crucially important. That is particularly the case if they are able to remain in a European spots position. For a team such as Brentford, eighth place is incredibly important to finish in. They require that position to squeeze into contention of regulars of the European football next season.
The Road Ahead
As the final three matches of the season approaches, the urgency only increases for Brentford and their rivals. Every match is so much more important with clubs fighting for every point and spot. As our own Thomas Frank has been known to preach, focus and consistency are key in these final stretch games. “Every point counts now,” he stated. “We must treat every game as if it’s a final.”
The looming Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United will add another layer of excitement to the race for European qualification. The outcome of this match could shift the landscape of available spots in Europe, further intensifying the competition among clubs.
Leave a Reply