Newcastle United resume their battle for Champions League qualification with a huge clash against mid-table Brentford.
Victory could see Newcastle climb to fourth if Manchester City lose elsewhere, whilst Brentford will stay 11th regardless of the result but a win could set up a late charge for European qualification.
Team News
Newcastle will be without Anthony Gordon after he suffered a thigh injury whilst on international duty for England in their victory over Albania.
Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) and Lewis Hall (foot) remain absent.
Brentford will welcome Michael Kayode back from a knee injury.
Mathias Jensen is ruled out due to illness suffered during the international break which has forced him to miss some training sessions.
Josh Dasilva (knee), Fabio Carvalho (shoulder), Gustavo Nunes (back), Igor Thiago (joint), Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey (both hamstring) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Brentford at St James’ Park on Wednesday 2 April at 7:45pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have lost one of their seven previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (W5, D1, L1).
- Brentford are yet to claim a Premier League win at Newcastle (D1, L2).
- Victory would see Thomas Frank’s Bees achieve their first Premier League double over Newcastle.
- Jacob Murphy has scored in each of Newcastle’s last two home games (W1, L1).
- Coming into this matchweek, no defender has made more blocks this season than Brentford’s Nathan Collins (41).
Prediction
Having had two weeks to digest the impact of their memorable Carabao Cup title win over Liverpool where they were dominant and equally clinical, Newcastle now need to use that success as motivation for a top-four push and continue to play with that same intensity and quality.
Brentford though are only seven points off the final Champions League spot and a win here could start a late charge for European qualification, especially after a clinical comeback at Bournemouth which extended their unbeaten away run to six matches.
St James’ Park though will be bouncing given that it is Newcastle’s first home match since Wembley which should give Newcastle the edge if they don’t play to the occasion, although Brentford definitely won’t make this an easy contest.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brentford
Result: Newcastle 2-1 Brentford
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