In their final warm-up game ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season, Brentford welcome La Liga side Real Betis to the newly named Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday.

Thomas Frank’s side experienced mixed fortunes during their pre-season tour of Germany earlier this month, suffering defeats to Bundesliga outfits Wolfsburg and Stuttgart, while also playing out a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg.

However, the Bees have been on a winning streak of late, recording two behind-closed-doors victories against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal in the past week.

After accommodating several Euro 2022 fixtures, Brentford will now return to home soil for the first time this campaign, as they hope to close out their pre-season on a high.

However, a stern test awaits them in Real Betis, who are coming off their highest La Liga finish since the 2004/05 campaign, as well as lifting the Copa del Rey for the third time in their history last season.

Betis’ rise in recent years hasn’t gone unnoticed, and LaLiga Lowdown’s Thom Harris is one of many admirers who believe Manuel Pelligrini’s side could soon become a formidable force in Spanish football.

Speaking to brentfordfc.com, Thom Harris said: “It was one of the best seasons in the club’s history. That Copa del Rey victory - their first major trophy in more than 17 seasons - quenched an increasingly desperate thirst for silverware, and really felt like a huge weight off the shoulders of one of the largest, most passionate fanbases in all of Spain. Manuel Pellegrini has brought order to what was once a chaotic club.

“While they still finished below their city neighbours Sevilla in LaLiga, it feels as if the tides are slowly turning in Andalusia’s capital, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how the pair battle it out next season.”

Saturday’s contest will give the home fans a chance to see some of Brentford’s summer acquisitions in action for the first time, with shrewd Serie A signings Thomas Strakosha and Aaron Hickey, as well as Ben Mee and record signing Keane Lewis-Potter all in contention.

Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer will be absent for the friendly through injury, with the former expected to miss the start of the season. Christian Norgaard, however, is ready to return to action following his recovery from a knee issue.

Meanwhile, Real Betis will be without seasoned defensive midfielder William Carvalho, who is on the verge of departure, with Nottingham Forest among potential suitors.

Brentford vs. Real Betis will kick off at 15:00 BST this Saturday, with the latest ticket information available on each club’s official website.