Newcastle United welcome Brentford to St. James’ Park in the Premier League this Saturday, hoping to end their three-game losing streak before kick-starting their Champions League campaign.
After a sluggish start to the season, Newcastle United will look to get back on track when they play hosts in a tricky encounter against Brentford at St. James’ Park on Saturday as they resume their Premier League campaign following the international break.
It was always going to be a tough start given the fixture list: Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton & Hove Albion. A return of three points is not the end of the world. However, there are ways to lose games where you emerge with some credit.
The way Newcastle capitulated against ten-man Liverpool at home and away at Brighton was a concern. At the Amex Stadium, they were outfought and outclassed in a performance that fell way short of what is expected of Eddie Howe’s side.
Brentford won’t be pushovers either, and the draw specialists are undefeated so far this season. They have shared the honours with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Newport County in the Carabao Cup.
But the Bees went to Fulham and cruised to a 3-0 victory in Gameweek 2. So, there are plenty of signs of positive intent from Thomas Frank’s side, who look set to enjoy another season despite wantaway talisman Ivan Toney being sidelined with a ban.
The Magpies did complete a double over the Bees last season, winning 5-1 on Tyneside in October and 2-1 in west London in April. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
🤕 An injury update on Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson ahead of #NEWBRE at St. James' Park tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/N5roTg4TYF
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 15, 2023
Eddie Howe spent around £130 million this summer on the likes of Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, and Tino Livramento. So, 14th place after four games is not ideal, especially after losing three in a row.
The former Bournemouth boss will need a strong squad available to him if his side are going to navigate some choppy waters ahead. And a huge boost would be Sven Botman, Miguel Almiron, and Sandro Tonali declaring themselves fit.
Dutch defender Botman missed the defeat at Brighton after picking up an ankle injury against Liverpool and was left out of the Netherlands’ squad. The latter two faced injury scares during the international break and could be involved at the weekend, but neither will be rushed back.
Newcastle’s midfield in particular looks disjointed, and they have been a disappointment so far, with so much expected by the Toon Army after last season’s efforts. With a trip to his former stomping ground in midweek, Sandro Tonali could well be rested here after the Italian international did not play against Ukraine last Tuesday due to a muscle fatigue injury.
Geordie boy Sean Longstaff could return to the starting XI alongside the Brazilian duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. It is fair to say that without Longstaff as their disciplined midfield workhorse, the team have been looking like a ship with no engines.
After the glut of goals in the 5-1 opening-day win over Aston Villa, things have dried up somewhat in an attacking sense for the Magpies, with just two goals in their last three. They could really do with their strikers on form and confidence in a tough week, which could prove to be the turning point for their season.
Alexander Isak missed two good chances to score against Brighton. So, Callum Wilson, fresh off signing a new contract with Newcastle United, will be pushing for a start against Brentford after impressing at the Amex.
Harvey Barnes has been making headlines this week after it was revealed he was considering switching international allegiances from England to Scotland. He could make his first start for the club on the left flank, with Anthony Gordon likely to switch over to the right.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Brentford
Brentford will make this journey without suspended Ivan Toney and long-term absentees Josh Dasilva and Shandon Baptiste. Mikkel Damsgaard, who sat out the draw with Bournemouth and Denmark’s international fixtures due to an adductor issue, remains a minor doubt. But head coach Thomas Frank is hopeful that the 23-year-old will be available to feature on the bench.
Frank prefers a 4-3-3 formation these days and only uses a 3-5-2 system against the top four sides. With Newcastle suffering a dip in form, he might as well go for the juggernaut and utilise the former.
Bryan Mbeumo deserves credit for seamlessly taking over from Ivan Toney as Brentford’s primary source of goals upfront. He will be looking to build on that early-season momentum and extend his tally in the Premier League this weekend.
🤕 An injury update on Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson ahead of #NEWBRE at St. James' Park tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/N5roTg4TYF
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 15, 2023
Kevin Schade is more likely to pick up the ball in space out wide, where he can take advantage of isolated full-backs in one-on-one situations, while Yoane Wissa will provide the aerial target-man presence as well as powerful runs in behind to trouble defenders. Deadline-day signing Neal Maupay is another option Frank can use to make an impact on the game late in the second half.
There are unlikely to be any major changes in midfield or at the back, with summer recruit Nathan Collins replacing Ben Mee at the heart of the back four being the only possible change Frank may consider.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Flekken; Hickey, Pinnock, Collins, Henry; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade
Key Stats
- Brentford have not lost in their first four Premier League games of the 2023–24 season, winning one and drawing three.
- Nine of the last 11 meetings between these two sides have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Newcastle have been leaky at the back lately, allowing six goals in the previous three games.
- The visitors, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last seven league matches and have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 league outings.
Player to Watch
Bryan Mbeumo
Nobody is surprised. Erling Haaland is the Premier League’s top goalscorer after the first four games of the new season. But there is an unfamiliar face at second trying to keep up with the Nordic goal machine. During his time at Brentford, Mbeumo has played a supporting role for Ivan Toney.
But ever since Toney received an eight-month suspension from the Football Association in May for breaching betting rules, the Cameroonian international has flourished as the headline act.
He has finally evolved into a reliable goalscorer, and if he can maintain this level of output, he should comfortably reach double figures for the first time in a top-flight season. The 24-year-old still possesses the trademark flair of a winger and combines it with precision in front of goal, which is a terrorising prospect for the defenders.
Prediction
Brentford 1-3 Newcastle United
The hosts will be hoping the international break came at the right time, but they may not find it easy to get back to winning ways at home to unbeaten Brentford. The evidence shows that both of these teams are full of goals, with an entertaining match expected.
Three points is the bottom line for Eddie Howe and Co. at home to push the excitement levels that are already building for the away trip to the San Siro, and they might turn the tables on home soil to relieve pressure on the former Bournemouth manager.
