Brentford Finish 9th in Premier League, Missing Europe on Goal Difference

3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 20

Ninth-place Brentford ended the season one spot and goal difference short of Europe after entering it tipped for relegation and stripped of Thomas Frank, Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Bryan Mbeumo.
3-1 at Nottingham Forest on opening day deepened fears, but Keith Andrews — promoted from set-piece coach — steadied the team as Igor Thiago scored 22 league goals, second only to Erling Haaland.
18.96 expected goals from set pieces ranked Brentford behind only two Premier League teams, while Michael Kayode’s 150-foot long throws became a signature weapon and only two sides conceded fewer from dead balls.
2012 owner Matthew Benham built that edge through a data-led model spanning recruitment, xG analysis and specialist coaching; Brentford says it tracks 85,500 players and has repeatedly replaced departing stars cheaply.
The club’s challenge now is staying ahead as richer rivals copy its methods — Arsenal won the title with several ex-Brentford staff and players, and Phil Giles says data-driven bargains are getting harder to find.