Opposition watch | Brentford

Thomas Frank's team finished in their highest-ever position in the Premier League last term, an impressive ninth - they finished fifth in the old First Division back in 1935/36 - here's the lowdown on the Bees ahead of our curtain-raiser at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Form

Brentford enjoyed a storming end to 2022/23 with five wins in their final six matches - including victories over us, Chelsea and Manchester City - cemented a place in the top 10. Pre-season has seen Thomas Frank's men take part in the Premier League's Summer Series in the USA, where they lost 3-2 against Fulham in Philadelphia, lost 2-0 against Brighton in Atlanta and draw 3-3 against Villa in Maryland. Back in the UK, they were held to a goalless draw by Ligue 1 side Lille at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend.

Manager

Thomas Frank had led Brentford into, and beyond, the promised land. In charge of a number of Danish national youth teams before taking over at Brondby IF in 2013, Frank joined Brentford in the Championship in 2016, initially as assistant to Dean Smith, then into the top job on Smith's departure in October, 2018. After missing out in the play-off final in 2019/20, Frank led the Bees into the Premier League for the first time by returning to Wembley and beating Swansea in the 2020/21 play-off final. Thirteenth in their first season in the Premier League, they were in the top 10 for the majority of last season and eventually ninth, their highest in the Premier League era.

Players to watch

Brentford's big summer arrivals are central defender Nathan Collins from Wolves and Kevin Schade from Frieburg, Collins an ideal replacement for Pontus Jansson, who returned to Malmo FF after four successful years in west London. Otherwise, the now-familiar names who have carried the club into the top 10 of the Premier League with Thomas Frank are still there, the likes of Bryan Mbuemo, goalkeeper David Raya, full-back Rico Henry, skipper Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen and striker Ivan Toney, who remains suspended.

Last time we met

One to forget for us at the end of last season - 20 May, 2023. We looked in good nick when Harry Kane curled home the opener as we dominated the first half, but the second half was a different story as the Bees hit back with a Bryan Mbeumo double and Yoane Wissa's strike to secure a 3-1 win. Brentford won five of their last six games to finish ninth.

How to follow

Sunday’s match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. BBC Radio Five Live will carry radio commentary. You can also follow all the action via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app, where you’ll find minute-by-minute text and audio commentary, goal alerts, stats and much more. Video highlights will be available on SPURSPLAY from two hours after the game, with the full 90 minutes available to watch on demand from midnight. Worldwide broadcast listings are available via the link on this page...