Lovely day for it
Once again it's glorious weather today in the capital.
The sun always comes out to play on the opening weekend, it's not just a myth.
It's blessing us yet again today, I hope the players have their sun cream on as they go to warm up.
And the fans, they'll certainly need some protection.
'Palace fans optimistic'
Kathryn Batte, Mail Sport, at the GTech Community Stadium:
I was on the train with a lot of Crystal Palace fans this morning and they seem very optimistic about their chances of having a successful season. They finished the previous campaign with six wins in their last seven games. If they can keep hold of Eze and Guehi then there's no reason why they can't pick up where they left off.
Brentford have spent a bit of money in the transfer window but one of their new signings, Igor Thiago, is out with an injury until late 2024. Fellow new boy Fabio Carvalho starts on the bench but I expect we'll see him in the second half.
Schade's time!
With Ivan Toney out and Igor Thiago injured, it's time for Kevin Schade to step up.
Having signed for Brentford in January 2023, we are still yet to see the best of the German forward.
He has only managed 11 Premier League appearances in a year-and-a-half at the club, scoring only two goals.
He missed a large majority of last season due to injury, only returning in April.
Well, now it's his time to shine. Can he deliver?
Wharton to keep shining?
Adam Wharton really is the real deal, isn't he?
At just 20- years of age, he is already becoming one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League.
He only joined Crystal Palace in January, but there are already some big sides sniffing around the youngster.
He built the platform for the attackers to shine last year, he almost seems like a Spanish midfielder in an Englishman's body.
Watch out for him today, I'm sure he will impress once more.
Frank: 'Lots of interest in Toney'
Thomas Frank, Brentford manager, speaking to Sky Sports:
A lot of things going on with Ivan [Toney], especially with transfers, there's a lot of transfer interest. Because of all that, we've decided not to include him in the squad.
I can't give too much away the day before. Of course Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He has been fantastic for us for four years but we showed last season we can cope without him. Who knows [if he has played his last match for Brentford]. There is interest, it's not close.
Bees unbeaten on opening day
Brentford and the opening day fixture are a match made in heaven.
The Bees are yet to lose their first game of a Premier League season, only two other sides have managed that feat - Reading and Blackpool.
That being said, the statistic is less impressive when you realise they have only played three of them, winning one, whilst drawing two.
Still, not a bad omen going into today.
Guehi: 'I just focus on my football'
Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace captain, speaking on his future at the club:
If I had a magic wand to sort everything out in an instant I would, but I don’t. You can’t control any exterior noise. I just focus on my football and giving my best.
I want to play as long as possible. If I could play to 40, great. I have stopped trying to figure out where I end up [in my career] because you can get too wrapped up in those things.
I’ve had a few goals that didn’t go quite right, saying at this age I should be here. That's a bit too presumptuous. Everyone has their own journey.
Bees fans buzzing
Well, I assume they are... Maybe their optimism has dropped after the team news was just released.
That shouldn't take the way the buzz of a new campaign, though.
Brentford fans are already floating around the Gtech Community Stadium as we are into the final hour before kick-off.
The excitement is well and truly building.
Carvalho makes the bench
One player that does make the squad is Fabio Carvalho.
The Portuguese attacker only completed his transfer from Liverpool earlier this week, but he is ready to go from the bench.
I covered Liverpool a lot during their pre-season tour, and I must say, Carvalho was incredibly impressive.
When I heard the news that they were letting him go I was surprised, I thought he had shown enough to warrant minutes.
That said, he is a major coup for the Bees.
Tata Toney?
Sorry about the sub-heading, I was just thinking about the Christmas film Jingle All the Way.
If you get it, you get it. If you don't, I can't help you.
But anyway, the reason for this post is about the Ivan Toney conundrum, not films.
I must say, I am pretty shocked that he has not even made the squad today. Is that telling of his future at the club?
The rumour mill has been turning even more than usual this summer in regards to Toney.
When the Bees brought in Igor Thiago, it almost seemed certain that the English striker had one foot out the door.
But he is still yet to find a new club and it doesn't look like an exit is imminent, or so we thought.
Maybe today's team news is an indication of his future...
Will he stay or will he go?
Marc Guehi has been the topic of transfer discussion all summer.
The Crystal Palace defender has been the subject of four bids from Newcastle United, which have all been rejected.
It's easy to see why, he is a superb centre-back who was England's most impressive defender at Euro 2024.
In truth, I am surprised more big clubs have not been going for his signature. He could better the majority of sides in the Premier League.
But as it stands, he is still a Palace player.
As you now know with the team news released, he captains the team today. That's certainly a statement from Palace.
The question is, will he still be there come September?
Well then, this is interesting...
The big news is that Ivan Toney does not even make the squad for Brentford's opener.
Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo both start either side of Kevin Schade who leads the line for the Bees.
Other than that, it's a starting 11 we have seen turn out for Brentford so many times under Thomas Frank.
Crystal Palace Team News - Kamada STARTS
Now this is a strong-looking side.
Oliver Glasner has handed summer signing Daichi Kamada his debut while Ismaila Sarr and Chadi Riad make the bench.
Both Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze make the 11 after busy summers on international duty.
And Dean Henderson lines up between the sticks as their new number one.
Glasner: 'Brentford are well-organised'
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace boss, on Friday:
All players are fit, all players are available – just [Matheus] Franca [is not]. After his injury, he trained with us, and unfortunately, he fractured his rib again so he will be out for the next weeks.
I know it's a very good, well-organised team. Thomas Frank is a great manager. They have clear structure in the game, very variable in building up. They switch from a back four to a back three with five players high, playing very quick in behind and a lot of runs.
This is what we all know about Brentford. But again, we feel ready there to extend the streak [six matches unbeaten against the Bees in the Premier League].
Glasner's flying Eagles
It's an exciting time to be a Crystal Palace fan.
With Oliver Glasner at the helm, the south London side are in the best position they have been in for years.
The Eagles soared to the finish side last campaign as the most in-form team in the whole league.
They went unbeaten in their final seven games, winning six of those, including a historic victory away at Liverpool.
It means that optimism is through the roof at Selhurst Park coming into this campaign, even if they have lost star winger Michael Olise.
Palace have brought in the likes of Daichi Kamada and Ismaila Sarr to add to their attacking contingent which already contains Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It's fair to say that they will be confident today.
Frank: 'We got a warning last year'
Thomas Frank, Brentford manager, speaking to Sky Sports:
We talk about dreams from day one, we never talked about survival. I think it's negative and I'm too positive to think about only staying in the Premier League or survival.
It's always been trying to be an asset to the Premier League. Try to develop, try to improve, win the next game, end as high as possible. That's always been the aim.
That's the beautiful thing about a new season, new opportunities, new dreams, new things to achieve, hopefully, with the knowledge that it is the most relentless league in the world. So we got a warning last year that, you know, also, even I hate saying it, just staying in the league is still a big success.
Can Bees get their buzz back?
Brentford are now into their fourth season in the Premier League - it's been one hell of a journey.
After punching well above their weight in the first two campaigns, the Bees lost their buzz last season, finishing a lowly 16th.
It was like somebody had clipped their wings (if you'll pardon the pun).
Yes, they were missing star striker Ivan Toney for a large spell of the season due to a ban, but even when he returned they were still fighting for survival.
Well, they managed to conjure up some form and find themselves still in the top flight today.
They will want to find their feet in the division once more, starting today, but with their lack of transfer business, they face a tough task.
Pick up a win today, though, and that will shut me up...
Back for more?
This opening round of fixtures has already been enthralling, and it's by no means finished yet.
We have seen plenty of goals, red cards, VAR drama, and even a fight.
That's all only from seven games, we still have three big games to bring you over the next two days, starting in west London.
All eyes are on the capital today with Chelsea hosting champions Manchester City later, but you're not here for that, are you?
You are all here for the matter of Brentford facing off with Crystal Palace at the GTech Community Stadium.
It's fair to say that last season was a rollercoaster for both sides, but luckily for them, it wasn't like Oblivion at Alton Towers.
With a new season comes renewed optimism and both the Bees and the Eagles have plenty of it at this very second.
Will that still be the case by the end of the day?
Key Updates
Brentford Team News - NO Toney
Crystal Palace Team News - Kamada STARTS