Brentford vs Sunderland Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Brentford head into this one after a strong start to the season as they now welcome a stubborn Sunderland side down to the Gtech Community Stadium in London.

Kick-off date/time: 5 September 2026 at 3:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – NBC

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock

Brentford preview: Buzzing Bees

Brentford started the 2026-27 Premier League season with an impressive 3-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur in West London in their opener, courtesy of goals scored by Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode.

The Bees then took a first half lead against Leeds United at Elland Road, after a midweek 6-1 demolition of Birmingham City in the second round of the EFL Cup, before a late Dominic Calvert-Lewin equaliser.

Sunderland preview: Stubborn Sunderland

After qualifying for the UEFA Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League last year, Sunderland will be seeking to avoid so-called ‘second season syndrome’ and continue to re-establish themselves in the top-flight.

A frustrating defeat on the opening day against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, having led that one, was followed up by a slender 1-0 defeat of Fulham at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of a Wilson Isidor strike mid-way through the second half.

Brentford team news: Jensen remains sidelined

Mathias Jensen was pushing to return for this one but he is now a doubt alongside defender Sepp van den Berg and midfielder Antoni Milambo.

Josh Dasilva was playing for the under-21's but has suffered a hamstring injury that sees him out until after the international break. Keane Lewis-Potter is expected to remain ahead of El Hadji Malick Diouf in the pecking order at left-back for now.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Sangare, Janelt; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

Unavailable: Van den Berg (Injured), Milambo (Injured), Jensen (Injured), Dasilva (Injured)

Questionable: 

Sunderland team news: Diarra out

In his pre-match press conference, Regis Le Bris confirmed that key midfielder and Senegal international Habib Diarra will now be out for '6 to 8 weeks'. 

It is not known as to what the fitness of 'deadline day' signings Malick Fofana and Juan Riquelme Angulo is, albeit the former has played for Olympique Lyonnais this season. Dayann Methalie is available after serving a suspension.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Meunier, Ballard, Alderete, Methalie; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Le Fee, N. Angulo; Brobbey

Unavailable: Diarra (Injured), Adingra (Injured)

Questionable: Fofana (Fitness), J. Angulo (Fitness)

Brentford vs Sunderland prediction

Brentford have been extremely effective and perhaps surprisingly so since the appointment of Keith Andrews last summer. They are strong on the counter and from set-pieces – but those are both attributes that are perhaps nullified by an often stubborn Sunderland side that are difficult to play against. The rigidity of the visitors may well frustrate the hosts and a low-scoring encounter would therefore seem a decent bet.

Brentford vs Sunderland tip: Under 2.5 goals