Brentford host top-seven chasing Newcastle United at Gtech Community Stadium on the final day of 2023-24 Premier League season.
Victory would see Brentford finish 15th in the table if Everton fail to win elsewhere, whilst Newcastle need to at least match Manchester United’s result in order to finish seventh.
Team News
Neal Maupay is set to return for Brentford after he missed their win at Bournemouth for personal reasons.
Nathan Collins and Frank Onyeka are doubtful for selection due to unspecified injuries.
Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee) and Ben Mee (ankle) remain absent.
Newcastle could be without Anthony Gordon after he suffered an ankle injury during their midweek 3-2 loss at Manchester United.
Callum Wilson (illness) could return but Tino Livramento (ankle), Matt Targett, Joe Willock (both Achilles), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both ACL), Lewis Miley (back) and Sandro Tonali (suspension) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Brentford host Newcastle at Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday 19 May at 4pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brentford are winless in five previous Premier League meetings against Newcastle (D1, L4).
- Newcastle have won each of their two previous Premier League trips to Brentford (W2).
- Thomas Frank’s Bees have conceded twice in each of their last two league matches at home to Newcastle.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings against Brentford since a 1-0 defeat in the Old Division Two in January 1948 (W8, D1).
- Bryan Mbeumo has been involved in more league goals than any other Brentford player this season, with nine goals and six assists in 24 appearances.
- Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak have both been involved in 21 league goals apiece this season for Newcastle – Isak scored 20 goals and made 1 assist, whilst Gordon scored 11 goals and created 10 assists.
Prediction
With nothing to really play for here after a season hit by injuries and suspensions, Brentford just need to show their usual attacking energy and try to enjoy this pressure-free final game of the season, whilst looking to build momentum for next season.
Newcastle meanwhile should of easily beaten Man Utd if not for their wasteful finishing and lacklustre defensive marking, yet they now need to just come out and play more clinically but tighter at the back if want a top-seven finish.
Potential European qualification however will have to wait and their fans better hope that Utd lose the FA Cup Final, although if Utd were to win the cup then missing out on European qualification might be a blessing in disguise for Newcastle going into next season.
As for the game itself, I do expect it to be quite scrappy if Brentford dig in defensively like they did at Bournemouth but Newcastle should just have the edge here if just step it up a gear.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Newcastle
Result: Brentford 2-4 Newcastle
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