Looking at this Newcastle team v Brentford.
Our next match in the Premier League.
Newcastle United looking to get their first away league win of the season.
Something which would also make it seven wins from the last nine games, in all competitions, for United.
Whilst at the same time bouncing back from last Sunday’s most recent Premier League performance and result against West Ham.
So can Eddie Howe’s side head into this November international break with what would feel like a huge victory.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Gordon, Woltemade, Barnes
Eddie Howe gave an update on Friday, regarding the injury and availability for the squad ahead of Sunday’s match.
Yoane Wissa, Will Osula and Tino Livramento will definitely not be involved.
Most of the focus was on Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon, the chances of them being available (or not) for the starting eleven against Brentford.
Eddie Howe gave this update on Anthony Gordon, who had to come off late in the first half against Bilbao when feeling his hip:
“We don’t think it’s a serious injury. We’re going to get him scanned and we’re awaiting the results. There’s every chance he might miss out on Sunday but we’ll give him every opportunity to be fit.”
Eddie Howe saying this about Lewis Hall who got his first minutes for some time on Wednesday night off the bench:
“He’s closer [to a return to the starting XI]. I thought it was a really good cameo from him. We have to remember he’s had very limited training time so I have to be careful with him. He’s very much in my thoughts because of the quality of player he is. He’s had a difficult period with injury. He’s such an important player and we need him fit for the long term.”
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Brentford:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Barnes, Woltemade, Murphy
If proved correct, this would mean just the one change from Wednesday, Murphy back in and Gordon dropping out.
I thought Newcastle did ok against tricky opponents on Wednesday night. Overall the win was definitely deserved despite a couple of scares in the first half.
Brentford will provide a different but no less challenging opposition, especially considering their home form.
With this Premier League match coming four days after the Champions League and with internationals to follow, I don’t think Eddie Howe will be doing any rotation unless forced to.
So I think he will go with what he considers his strongest possible available starting eleven.
I assume that is what he picked on Wednesday night and I believe most likely that Eddie Howe won’t risk Gordon from the start and instead switch Barnes to his favoured left and bring in Murphy.
There has been no announcement from the England camp regarding any withdrawal from the squad, so it looks like good news with Anthony Gordon and no lasting damage done.
However, if as I assume Gordon can make today’s matchday squad, I fancy the United boss will look to use him as an impact sub.
Lewis Hall reminded us all of his quality when coming off the bench against Bilbao but I reckon it will be another sub appearance today, as Eddie Howe shows the patience he has hinted at, to make absolutely sure that Hall is in the best possible place before starting again. Which I feel could well be against Man City at St James’ Park, in two weeks time.
Burn and Joelinton provided the goals on Wednesday night and I think Eddie Howe will be hoping this trend can continue, with others taking some of the pressure off Woltemade as we wait for Wissa to be finally available as well.
Wednesday night was a fifth clean sheet in the last eight games and a sixth victory in those most recent eight matches.
I think Eddie Howe will be hoping to further improve this recent record both in terms of keeping it tight at the back and overall teamwork gelling, via going with more or less the same team as Wednesday. Hoping to erase memories of what happened last Sunday at West Ham.