Football writer Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 37.
Team analysis: Brentford
A win against west London rivals Fulham this Sunday could secure in-form Brentford a record-high eighth-place finish if other results go their way.
That would be a tremendous achievement for Thomas Frank and his players, who have once again made positive strides this season.
An eighth-place finish in the Premier League could be rewarded with entry into Europe next season too.
If Manchester City win the FA Cup while also qualifying for Europe through their league position, and EFL Cup winners Newcastle United also qualify through their league position, the two European places given to the domestic trophy winners will be passed down the league table.
So, this Gtech Community Stadium encounter - with Fulham still in the mix to finish eighth - is a significant fixture.
Potential difference maker: Kevin Schade
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa get most of the attention when people discuss Brentford’s impressive firepower, but the contributions of fellow forward Kevin Schade should not be underestimated.
The German, who largely plays off the left but can also occupy a striker's role when needed, has scored 11 Premier League goals in 2024/25.
The value of those strikes add up to an extra 11 points earned for Frank’s side.
Netting four times across his last three appearances, the 23-year-old could not be in better form ahead of this crunch derby match too.
Schade’s threat in the air will certainly give Fulham headaches.
He leapt highest at a corner to score against Ipswich Town last weekend, and in the previous match, he scored a headed brace at home to Manchester United.
Schade’s headed double v United
SchadeUtd1
SchadeUtd2
Attacking the far post with conviction, with a very springy leap, Schade gives Brentford an added dimension when they put crosses into the box.
The rangy forward has scored four headed goals this term, and his average of 0.17 headed goals per 90 minutes can only be topped by Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood.
Fulham right-back Kenny Tete will have his work cut out stopping Schade from outjumping him at the far post.
Marco Silva’s side must therefore work overtime to stop deliveries being sent across the penalty area.
An adaptable finisher
It would be wrong to label Schade as just an aerial threat.
He also has a good turn of speed that allows him to run in behind defenders, just as he did when scoring against Forest, Southampton, Newcastle United and Leicester City.
Schade's goal v Forest
Schade's finishing is also confident and technically sound when bursting through.
Converting an impressive 26.8 per cent of his chances, Schade has scored once every 195 minutes this season.
As this graphic below proves, he can score with both feet and his head.
How Schade has scored his 11 goals
Goal type Goals
Left foot 3
Right foot 4
Headed 4
Physically imposing
Fitting in perfectly with Brentford’s abrasive style of play, Schade is also a competitive attacker.
The German is much stronger than his slim physique would suggest as he chases lost causes, flies into duels, and relishes the aerial battles that come his way.
No Premier League forward can eclipse his per 90-minute averages when it comes to winning duels, both on the floor and in the air.
PL players duels compared 24/25*
Player Duels per 90 Player Aerial duels won per 90
Elliot Anderson (NFO) 8.16 Dan Burn (NEW) 3.94
Kevin Schade (BRE) 7.59 Tomas Soucek (WHU) 3.72
Lucas Paqueta (WHU) 7.46 Kevin Schade (BRE) 3.44
*Minimum 20 starts
A very settled side
One of the secrets behind Brentford’s excellent form in 2025 is the consistency of Frank’s line-ups.
Their Danish head coach has kept the same starting XI for the last four matches and all of them have been victories, with 11 goals scored.
Young right-back Michael Kayode has come in and performed well, while 21-year-old midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk has also earned a regular spot alongside Christian Norgaard in the midfield.
The Bees rank fifth in the form table over the last 12 matches, in which they have registered seven wins, two draws and only three defeats.
Top five PL teams over last 12 matches
Team W D L GD Pts
Liverpool 8 2 2 +11 26
Aston Villa 8 2 2 +10 26
Newcastle 8 1 3 +10 25
Man City 7 3 2 +11 24
Brentford 7 2 3 +10 24
Since the turn of the year, only one top-flight club, Newcastle, has made fewer changes to their starting XI.
The familiarity between the players has helped them strike up good partnerships all over the pitch, while also helping their camaraderie as a group.
Fitness permitting, we are likely to see an unchanged line-up for the fifth game in a row on Sunday.
PL teams with most unchanged line-ups
Team Starting XI changes
Newcastle 17
Brentford 20
Wolves 26
Bournemouth 27
Crystal Palace 27
Everton 27
Expect a direct encounter
Frank and Silva are two head coaches who both like to see their players pass the ball between the thirds with neat and tidy football.
Yet neither is fixated on using that style of play as a matter of course.
This balanced approach is one of the reasons why both teams have established themselves in the Premier League, adapting to the level by mixing up their play to unsettle their opponents.
You would not label Brentford or Fulham as "long-ball" sides, but thanks to their accurate distribution from back to front, and forwards who can hold the ball up, they are two of the best exponents of longer passes.
PL teams with most successful long passes 24/25
Team Total
Everton 953
Brentford 911
Fulham 867
West Ham 851
Bournemouth 838
Look out for Mark Flekken and Nathan Collins’ pinpoint forward passes over distance for Brentford, while Joachim Andersen, Bernd Leno and Calvin Bassey are especially strong in this department for Fulham too.
The side who gets quality service into their forwards most effectively in Sunday's match has a terrific opportunity to claim three massive points that might define their season.
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