Newcastle vs Brentford: Premier League Preview

Setting the Scene

Newcastle lifted the EFL Cup earlier this month with a 2-1 triumph over Liverpool, a historic win that not only secured silverware but also provided a confidence boost heading into the business end of the campaign. That victory came just days after a 1-0 Premier League win against West Ham, which saw the Magpies earn a clean sheet for the first time in seven top-flight matches.

Currently sitting sixth in the table with 47 points, Eddie Howe’s men remain firmly in the mix for a Champions League berth, sitting just two points off fourth-placed Chelsea. However, with several teams tightly bunched in mid-table, every point counts.

Brentford, meanwhile, are in 11th place with 41 points, and come into this one off the back of a comeback win over Bournemouth. Despite trailing early, they responded with two goals from set pieces—an area where Thomas Frank’s side have been especially dangerous this season.

Recent Form

• Newcastle have shown glimpses of their best but remain inconsistent. They’ve picked up two wins and two losses from their last four games across all competitions, and have lost three of their past five in the league.
• At home, the Magpies have been solid but not unbeatable. They’ve won seven of their last 10 league fixtures at St James’ Park but have also lost three of their past five there.
• Brentford have hit their stride in recent weeks. The Bees have taken 10 points from their last five league outings (W3, D1, L1), and have been particularly impressive on the road.
• After failing to win any of their first nine away league matches this season, Brentford have since rattled off five consecutive wins on the road, scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice during that streak.

Head-to-Head & Stats

The two teams have already met twice this season:

• Brentford earned a 4-2 win in their league meeting in December.
• Newcastle responded with a 3-1 victory in the EFL Cup a couple of weeks later.

The Bees have proven to be a challenging opponent for Newcastle in recent meetings, but the Magpies will hope to make the most of home advantage in this crucial clash.

Key Stats:

• Brentford have generated over 31% of their total shots this season from set pieces, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the league from dead-ball situations.
• Newcastle’s last home clean sheet in the league came six matches ago.

Team News

Newcastle United:

• Defensive depth is an issue for Howe, with Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, and Lewis Hall all unavailable.
• The likely back four features Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, and Tino Livramento.
• Anthony Gordon remains a doubt with a hip injury, potentially opening the door for a front three of Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, and Jacob Murphy.

Brentford:

• The visitors are also managing injury concerns. Gustavo Gomes, Fabio Carvalho, Igor Thiago, and Joshua Dasilva are all expected to miss out.
• Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will spearhead the attack, likely supported by Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade.
• At the back, the quartet of Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, and Keane Lewis-Potter should continue, with full-backs Aaron Hickey and Michael Kayode unavailable.