- Brentwood are a pressing team with a process-driven mindset.
- Burgess Hill are a direct, physical side that can press and bully teams.
- Brentwood lost the play-off final 2-1 to Billericay, but their form was mixed in the run-in.
Familiar foes face off for 2026-27 opening
The 2025/26 Isthmian League Premier Division play-off run was a heartbreaking disappointment for Keith Rowland's Brentwood Town, who fell just short when they lost the final to Billericay 2-1. However, there was plenty to admire in the way the team were built, and with their home advantage in Saturday's opening clash with Burgess Hill, they could make a statement with a win at the Brentwood Centre Arena.
Brentwood were a high-pressing side when they won promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division two seasons ago, but they've evolved into a more controlled, process-driven outfit since then, with wide players running at the opponents, while Bradley Sach offers them control in midfield, and captain Matt Cripps offers the leadership and defensive grit that helped them make a late run for the play-offs.
Burgess Hill, however, are a different proposition. Gary Mansell's side are a hard-running, set-piece-heavy unit with real bite in the press. Ben Pope is a proper aerial threat, while Chris Whelpdale and Kaan Bennett are both quality attacking players that are capable of hurting Brentwood, who they met twice in the 2025/26 season. Pope and Whelpdale made Brentwood's life difficult in those games, which were both cagey and entertaining affairs.
Head-to-head points to entertaining affair
Burgess Hill finished the 2025/26 season in the top half of the table, around 8th or so, and enter the new season with a bit of momentum behind them. They won three of their last four matches, beating Cray Wanderers, Brentwood and Chichester City to finish the league campaign and then taking pre-season wins against East Grinstead and Sevenoaks before losing 2-1 at Broadbridge Heath last time out.
Brentwood lost their play-off final 2-1 to Billericay, but that followed a cracking 4-1 win at Aveley in the previous round of the playoffs and a 2-0 league win over Welling, so there was nothing wrong with their form heading into 2026/27. A 3-0 defeat to Ebbsfleet United was a bump in the road, but they will be looking to build on that positive run from the end of last season with three points in this opening clash.
Goals on the agenda
Brentwood are the narrow favourite at 73/100, with Burgess Hill Town priced at 57/20 and the draw priced at 14/5. These two teams know each other well and the head-to-head meetings in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that this could be a close, swingy fixture. Brentwood won 2-1 here in August, while Burgess Hill Town edged a 3-2 thriller at home in April.
The clash of styles should make this game entertaining, but we're tipping Brentwood to nick it as they have home advantage. A 2-1 home win looks a natural fit here, while Over 2.5 goals at 11/20 and Both Teams To Score - Yes at 13/25 are great options for this opener.
Scott Kashket is Brentwood's main striking reference, and they lack a bit of quality at the pointy end of the pitch with Danny Ogunleye gone. But the Beavers have a strong structure and they should nick it here with a 2-1 victory.
