Brentford vs Newcastle – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we take a look at Newcastle United’s visit to Brentford. Brentford have lost just once at home all season, but face an in-form Newcastle. Who will prevail? Read on with our Brentford vs Newcastle prediction.

Brentford vs Newcastle Match Preview

Brentford host Newcastle in London on Saturday afternoon following both teams’ fixtures in midweek. Brentford come into the game on a mini-run of poor form – they haven’t won in three games, having drawn 1-1 at home against Leicester, drawn 3-3 at Brighton, and lost 1-0 at Old Trafford against Man Utd. This run of results looks poor, but they were unlucky in the two away games. While Brighton controlled the game against the Bees, only a last-minute penalty prevented Brentford from attaining all three points. Equally, Man Utd weren’t impressive against Brentford in midweek. After a poor first half, Brentford regrouped to give United a tough second half.

Therefore, Brentford could argue they have been unlucky in their previous two games (even if they should be beating Leicester at home in the game before that). They are tenth in the form table over the last four games, but they will hope to start winning again soon to keep their slim European chances alive. Indeed, sitting in ninth position with 43 points from 29 games, they have had an excellent second season in the Premier League. They are also strong at home, having won seven times and only lost once in 14 games at the Gtech this season.

Newcastle come into this game in London riding high on the crest of a wave. The North-East club have won their previous four games, which has undoubtedly pleased the Geordie supporters. Victories against Man Utd and in the last match against West Ham were particularly dominant. Indeed, the Magpies beat United 2-0 though it could have been four or five. Then, in midweek, they decimated West Ham at the London Stadium in a resounding 5-1 win.

Hence, Newcastle’s bid for Champions League qualification is going very well. Few people would have predicted them to be in third place at this point in the season. Indeed, with 53 points from 28 games, they are in a great position. They have some difficult games to come, but they will be relishing those challenges with their form. Their goal difference of 26 shows that they haven’t been fluking results, and it is indeed 21 goals better off than Man Utd, who they are ahead of on this stat. Newcastle have also been good away from home this season – winning six of 14 -so they will feel confident they can get a result at a problematic stadium in Brentford.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Brentford:

Might Not Play: Janelt

Will Not Play: Onyeka, Lewis-Potter, Ajer

Newcastle:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Krafth, Almiron, Fraser, M Longstaff

Brentford vs Newcastle Lineups (Predicted)

Brentford (3-5-2): Raya; Mee, Pinnock, Jansson; Henry, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Hickey; Toney, Mbeumo

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Burn, Botman, Schar, Trippier; S Longstaff, Joelinton, Guimaraes; Saint-Maximin, Isak, Murphy

Brentford vs Newcastle Analysis

Brentford Are In A Small Dip And Lost At Old Trafford

As stated, Brentford are coming into this game on a three-game winless run. While they were unlucky to lose in midweek at Old Trafford, the performance in the first half was unrecognisable from how they have been playing this season. They were passive and slow, and the usual pacey, physical, pressing Brentford was nowhere to be found. However, they did improve in the second half and gave Man Utd some difficulties. Hence, it could have been a one-off or some tiredness. They hope to return to how they played against Brighton when they were intense and relentless and took the lead thrice.

Brentford will likely line up in a back three to give themselves more defensive protection. Coach Thomas Frank tends to revert to this formation and system when he feels he is up against a strong team, and they will undoubtedly respect Newcastle. The midfielders (likely Norgaard, Jensen, and Dasilva) must press Newcastle as often as possible, trying to win the ball and feed it into Toney and Mbeumo up front. They must stay compact and keep gaps from forming where Newcastle can play through them.

Brentford are also unafraid to play the ball up the channels for Toney and Mbeumo to chase. The latter is observing Ramadan and did look off his normal levels against United. He was misplacing passes often. Perhaps Frank will rest him, but we expect him to start. The Brentford forwards must try to create chances against a strong Newcastle backline; crosses, and cute little balls down the sides will be vital. Jensen will try to join the forwards when he can, and Schade, Damsgaard, and Wissa are attacking opinions from the bench. Dasilva’s guile could also unlock doors.

As always, Brentford are a threat from set pieces with their deliveries and great headers in the box. Newcastle tend to hold a good shape and be well-organised on set plays, too, so Brentford’s advantage here may be less apparent.

Newcastle Are Going Great, And Comprehensively Destroyed West Ham

Newcastle have won the last four league games, scoring eleven and conceding only three. Therefore, they are clearly the form side coming into this game. They were superb against West Ham and carved through them at will, though calamitous mistakes from the home side aided them. In their second consecutive game in London, Newcastle know that despite Brentford not winning in three, the Bees remain a dangerous side to play against -especially at home.

The midfield three will be responsible for trying to make the play in this game. Truthfully, neither Newcastle nor Brentford can be deemed ‘possession sides’, but as the team higher in the table and with more confidence, Newcastle will likely have some more of the ball. This situation will suit Brentford as the home side enjoy playing on the counter, so the Toon must take care of the ball in midfield areas and try to play through the Brentford press right from Pope in goal. If they can beat the press, they can find little gaps in forward areas they can exploit.

Guimaraes and Joelinton were especially impressive in midweek, and the former has been brilliant all season. They must get on the ball and dictate play, looking to bypass the Brentford players and play cute little balls into the forwards. Isak and Wilson are both in great form – the coach Eddie Howe has been rotating his strikers to keep them fresh, so we think Isak will start. Whichever does must hold the ball up and make continuous runs in behind for through balls and darts inside the box for crosses being delivered. Tripper from right-back will always be dangerous with these crosses, as will Guimaraes, Murphy and Saint-Maximin.

It is essential that Saint-Maximim dribbles well and takes on Hickey at every opportunity. The Frenchman offers something different on the Newcastle left-hand side, as he is very tricky and unpredictable. Newcastle can also bring on Willock and Wilson (if he doesn’t start) for extra firepower later in the game.

Our Prediction

This match is challenging to call. On the one hand, Brentford haven’t won in three. In contrast, Newcastle are in great form and have won their last four (including impressive, dominating victories over Man Utd and West Ham). However, football is rarely this simple – every game is its own entity, and Brentford tend to be very strong at home – bear in mind that two of the games in this three-match winless run were away from home.

We are anticipating a tight game here. Newcastle will likely have a little more of the ball, which will suit Brentford, as most (if not all) of their wins come when they have less possession. This is because they prefer to counter-attack with pace and physicality and are a very direct team. However, Newcastle are showing signs of wanting to take control of that third-place position. They will not want to relinquish it lightly; they will probably be professional here. It should be tight, and we were going to predict 1-1, but we will give the edge to Newcastle – they have enough quality in attacking areas to win a close game.

Brentford 1-2 Newcastle

Brentford vs Newcastle Betting Tip – Newcastle Odds: