The one area where Brentford are better than every Premier League rival as Keith Andrews’ side eye European debut
Andrews was confident Brentford ‘would do something’ this season
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Bees host Fulham on Saturday lunchtime – with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 11:00 UK time.Keith Andrews’ side are just a point behind Chelsea and a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League is a possibility.It has been a campaign of yet more overachievement for Brentford, who many predicted to struggle after the departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
But the promotion of Andrews from set-piece coach to head coach has proven a masterstroke.
How, though, have Brentford continued to perform so well under an inexperienced coach, having lost the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa?
More shrewd transfer activity has been key again. And striker Igor Thiago has stepped up admirably, scoring 21 league goals and battling with Erling Haaland for the Gollden Boot.One statistic in particular stands out, though: Brentford’s shot conversion rate of 14.2% (per Opta) is the highest in the Premier League.PL 25/26Total ShotsGoals Shot Conversion RateBrentford3374814.2%Manchester City4606313.7%Arsenal4706213.2%Chelsea4385312.1%West Ham United3324012.0%Tottenham Hotspur3574011.2%Manchester United5125711.1%They are above Manchester City (13.7%), Arsenal (13.2%) and Chelsea (12.1%) in that metric. The Bees, then, are the most clinical side in the division this season.
Such proficiency in front of goal has been crucial because Brentford do not create a huge number of chances.
Andrews’ side have scored 48 goals from 32 games – a total bettered by just five other teams – but they are third bottom in the Premier League for open play shots (194). Only bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers (193) and 19th-placed Burnley (178) have managed fewer.
PL 25/26Fewest open play shotsEverton219Sunderland 194Brentford194Wolverhampton Wanderers 193Burnley178By comparison, Liverpool top the open play shots table with 396, clear of Manchester United (378), Manchester City (355) and Arsenal (324).
It is clear, then, that Brentford are incredibly efficient in the final third. The assumption might be that they are, like Frank’s sides of previous years, excellent from dead-ball situations, particularly given Andrews’ set-piece background.
Their return from attacking set-pieces is certainly good: 15 goals this season puts them joint-eighth, alongside West Ham United. Arsenal, unsurprisingly, are the best (25).
PL 25/26Goals From Set PieceTotalGoals From Set Piece %Arsenal256240.3%Manchester United235740.4%Chelsea205337.7%Newcastle United204544.4%Crystal Palace183551.4%Bournemouth174835.4%Leeds United173943.6%Brentford154831.3%
But Brentford are not reliant on corners and free-kicks: their percentage of goals from set-pieces is relatively low at 31.3%.
Crystal Palace, for example, have scored 51.4% of their 35 league goals this season from set-pieces, and leaders Arsenal 40.3%.
Brentford do impress defensively from set-pieces, allowing just 11 goals. Only Everton (10), Manchester City (10) and Arsenal (eight) have let in fewer.
Saturday’s opponents Fulham will undoubtedly be aware of all of Brentford’s strengths and weaknesses but beating The Bees on their own patch has been exceptionally difficult. Just three teams have managed to leave the Gtech Community Stadium with three points in 2025/26.
All eyes will be on the prolific Thiago but Brentford are a commendably well-oiled machine all over the pitch. If they get chances against The Cottagers, expect there to be goals.
