Game Week 1 Predictions: Brentford and Spurs to share points?

Bryan Mbeumo will have the big shoes of Ivan Toney to fill while the latter serves his ban but how does Heung Min Son cope with his partner Harry Kane? (Photo credit: GOAL)

Brentford vs. Tottenham
G-Tech Community Stadium
2:00pm

Tottenham will begin life without Harry Kane after the England striker completed a move to Bayern Munich on Friday.

Brentford will host Tottenham on the opening day of their third season in the top flight, hoping to build on the success of last season, which saw them finish ninth. They also have to do the first part without their top striker, Ivan Toney.

With Toney serving his eight-month football ban for betting-related offences, Yohan Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo, and Kevin Schade all have to step in to help the Bees with goals while also expecting numbers from the midfield.

We’re expecting a big season for Heung Min Son, who had an underwhelming 2022–2023 season, as well as for Brazilian striker Richarlison, who scored only one Premier League goal for the North London side after his £50 million move from Everton.

Ange Postecoglou will make his debut in the Spurs dugout, and it’s left to be seen how he sets up his team. The former Celtic of Scotland manager must feel hard done by losing a quality striker like Harry Kane, but it is what it is.

How will they line up? Brentford is expected to stay in the 4-3-3 shape that has always worked well for coach Thomas Frank. Aaron Hickey is fit to start at right back, but the real question is in the goalkeeping department, where he has to make do without David Raya.

The 27-year-old Spaniard has joined Arsenal, and Mark Flekken was in goal throughout preseason friendlies; Brentford built their play around a ball-playing goalkeeper, and Raya was instrumental to their performances in their two seasons in the Premier League.

James Maddison will make his debut alongside Dejan Kulusevski, who is now a permanent Spurs player. Will Destiny Udogie get the nod to start at left back? And how will new goalkeeper Gugi Vicario perform on his competitive debut?