Brentford will host Newcastle United at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, looking to fix their poor record against the Magpies.
Brentford are coming into this game vs Newcastle United on the back of a defeat against Crystal Palace, and they will look to bounce back strongly. The Bees have shown impressive form in recent weeks. They have picked up four wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
On the other hand, Newcastle United are in impressive form as well. The Magpies have picked up four wins from their last five matches in all competitions, including the midweek win over Athletic Club in the UEFA Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s men will be full of confidence, heading into this game. Newcastle United have an impressive record against Brentford, and they will look to pile further misery on the home team here. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top eventually. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
Aaron Hickey, Joshua Dasilva, and Antoni Milambo are sidelined due to their knee injuries. Meanwhile, Paris Maghoma is recovering from a hamstring issue. Brentford will start in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Michael Kayode and Rico Henry will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight defensively and help out in the final third as well. Nathan Collins will form the central defensive partnership alongside Sepp van den Berg.
As for the midfield unit, Mathias Jensen and Yehor Yarmolyuk will look to protect the back four and win the ball back for their side. Mikkel Damsgaard will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will link up with the attacking players and help open up opportunities in the final third.
Keane Lewis-Potter and Fabio Carvalho will start on the flanks. They will look to open up the opposition defence with their pace, flair, and movement. Finally, Igor Thiago will lead the line for Brentford vs Newcastle United on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry; Yarmolyuk, Jensen; Carvalho, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Newcastle United
Valentino Livramento picked up a knee injury recently, and he will be unavailable. Yoane Wissa have been ruled out as well, while Harrison Ashby (hamstring) and William Osula (ankle) remain in the treatment room. The have been joined by Anthony Gordon on the sidelines.
Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Brentford, with Nick Pope in goal. Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will pair up at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes will start in the centre of the park alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. The Brazilian will look to add creativity and control, while Tonali looks to provide defensive cover and physicality. Joelinton will add drive and workrate to the side.
Finally, Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Newcastle United vs Brentford on Sunday, with Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes
Key Stats
Newcastle United have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine matches vs Brentford in all competitions. The Magpies have won seven of their eight most recent games against Brentford in all competitions.
Both teams have picked up four wins from the last six matches in all competitions.
23 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
Brentford have won 11 of their last 17 home Premier League matches that have not come against fellow London teams (D2 L4), managing five wins in their last six (L1). By contrast, the Bees have one win in their last ten home London derbies (D5 L4).
Player to Watch
Nick Woltemade
Embed from Getty Images
The Newcastle United striker has been impressive since joining the club, and he is our key player to watch out for. Woltemade is more than just a goal scorer, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
His link-up play and the ability to hold up the ball, good proof to be vital for Newcastle United here. He will look to create openings in the final third for his teammates and find the back of the net as well. Newcastle United will need him to step up and produce a strong performance if they want to grind out a positive result away from home.
Prediction
Brentford 1-1 Newcastle United
Both teams will look to pick up all three points here, and this should be a cracking contest. They are in identical form right now, and neither side will want to drop points here. It will be difficult to separate the two teams.
The two teams are likely to get on the score sheet here, and they should be an open game with a fair few chances. In the end, there is very little to choose from between the two sides, and they are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils in a draw.