Brentford welcome Newcastle United to Brentford Community Stadium in the opening Quarter-Final of 2020-21 Carabao Cup.
Brentford are looking to extend their deepest ever League Cup run by advancing to the semis, whilst Newcastle could reach the last four for the first time since 1975-76 season when they finished runners-up.
Team News
Pontus Jansson is a doubt for Brentford after an ankle injury kept him out of Saturday’s 3-1 Championship win over Reading.
Mads Roerlsav (foot) and Shandon Baptiste (knee) are still both ruled out.
Newcastle could have Federico Fernandez available after the defender was substituted at half-time in Saturday’s draw against Fulham.
Javi Manquillo, Fabian Schar (both Coronavirus), Martin Dubravka (Achilles), Allan Saint-Maximin (calf) and Jamaal Lascelles (thigh) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Brentford lost their only previous League Cup meeting against Newcastle in September 2001, losing 4-1 at St James’ Park.
- Newcastle have lost two of three previous trips to Brentford, although this is their first trip to Brentford Community Stadium.
- There has never been a draw between Brentford and Newcastle.
- Bees’ Marcus Forss has scored in each of his last two League Cup appearances.
- Newcastle have conceded once in three League Cup games this season, whilst scoring nine goals (W2, D1).
Prediction
Having taken on the three promoted teams in their most recent matches, this is now a huge literal test for Newcastle after scraping home results against West Brom and Fulham in-between a battering from Leeds.
Brentford meanwhile have already proven that they’re no match for Premier League opposition after knocking out Southampton, West Brom and Fulham to reach this stage, plus are unbeaten in their last 13 games which highlights just how tough this will be for Newcastle.
Saying that, Newcastle have a strong defensive unit and have developed a taste for cup runs under Steve Bruce so if they can show more attacking intent, this could well be a competitively entertaining encounter.
Otherwise, I can see Brentford getting the win if this doesn’t go to penalties because Thomas Frank’s Bees have looked impossible to silence since November’s international break.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Newcastle