Match preview: Brentford vs Newcastle United: Searching for signs of life on the road
Newcastle United will hope to head into the next international break by exorcising their away-day demons and get their first league win away from home under their belts at the sixth time of asking. However, to do that, Howe’s men must travel to Brentford and to the Gtech Community Stadium, a ground that has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years.
United put in a professional, if uninspiring, performance against Athletic Bilbao midweek in the Champions League, winning 2-0. Howe will no doubt care little about the manner of the performance if his men can travel to West London and come away with a similar result. Right now, that’s what matters. Get the three points, by hook or by crook, and then use the next 10 days to get to the bottom of whatever underlying issues have been causing such stuttering performances in recent weeks.
Recent form
Newcastle United’s form has been erratic this season, particularly in the league. Howe’s men have failed to put back-to-back league wins together all season and have scored only twice away from home in their previous 5 attempts. In fact, United have only mustered 3 points from a possible 15 on the road and will desperately need to turn that around, and fast, if they are to have any hope of achieving their objectives this season.
Despite being downed 2-0 by Crystal Palace last time out, Brentford, on the other hand, have been on a rather good spell of form, winning 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions, including impressive victories over Liverpool and Manchester United. Their only other loss was a spirited 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in which they gave a really good account of themselves. Despite losing several key players in the summer, including Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United, and being most pundits pre-season tip for relegation, Keith Andrews appears to have steadied the ship, and are going into this fixture just above Newcastle United in the table.
Team news
Anthony Gordon was an early substitute owing to the hip injury he has been nursing in recent weeks, and should miss this fixture.
Lewis Hall was bright in his midweek cameo but expect Howe to reintroduce him slowly to the first team.
Despite reports to the contrary, Yoane Wissa will not make his debut against his old club, with his return scheduled for after the international break.
Will Osula could not make the bench midweek due to his ongoing ankle injury is requiring careful management.
Tino Livramento remains out with a knee injury but is nearing a return.
Predicted XI
What did Eddie say?
On team selection:
“Difficult team to pick off the back of Sunday. You could make wholesale changes or you can give the team another chance to deliver. I am 99% of the way there with my team selection
On Gordon’s injury:
“We don’t think it’s a serious injury. We are going to get him scanned and wait for the results. Good chance he misses out on Sunday but we will see how he is today.”
On Osula’s injury:
“It is something that he has been dealing with for a bit, but he’s been functional, he’s been able to train and to play. But he was getting to the stage where it was affecting him a little bit more. He’s had a scan and the scan told us to pull back a little bit. It’s not a serious injury, we’re talking about weeks, not months.”
On Yoane Wissa’s return to fitness:
“Yoane is working well, he’s on the grass, he’s building his fitness, the knee has been good, no problem with that, it’s more a case of looking at his fitness, sharpness, all of the things he is going to need to put together. He’s in a good place injury wise to really kick on and push his body, but we’re going to need to give him time to get fit and robust enough and in the position where he can give his best version of himself for the team. How long that will take is slightly unclear, but we’re sure it will be worth the wait.”
On last season’s defeat away to Brentford:
“It was a tough day, a tough game. I think Brentford, I know we have had some good results there, is always a tough place to go. It is going to be a tough examination of our ability to defend but I see it as a great opportunity to show we can deliver away from home. We know our away form hasn’t been good enough.”
On Lewis Hall nearing a return to the starting line-up:
“He’s closer, it was a really good cameo from Lew. I think we have to remember that he has very limited training time, so I have to be careful with him. But of course, he is very much in my thoughts because of the quality of player that he is. But he has had a difficult period in the last few months, obviously he has had a serious injury – the hamstring he suffered wasn’t serious but it was enough to keep him out of action for a period of time – so he’s such an important player we need him fit for the long-term.”
On Tonali’s contract comments:
“I think Sandro has been very honest, he’s happy, and I think that is the key thing. I think he is enjoying his football, and when I see him every day I see a player who is happy and feels fulfilled, happy in the team he is in, happy with his teammates, happy with the environment. He loves it here in Newcastle. Our challenge is to keep providing him that environment. And of course his job is to keep playing well and he’s certainly been impressive this season.”
Key battles
Set-pieces: While Brentford have not been prolific from set-pieces this season, they remain a threat, from long throws, corners, and deep free kicks. In van den Berg, Collin, Henderson and Ajer, they have height and physicality that can match our own.
Midfield battle: Brentford have some genuinely talented midfield players to call upon. In Mikkel Damsgaard they have one of the most underrated passers in the league, Yehor Yarmolyuk looks like another unearthed gem destined for bigger things, and Jordan Henderson brings steel, composure and experience. Our midfield has been off it in recent weeks. If they misfire again tomorrow, expect Brentford midfield to dominate.
Pacy wingers vs ageing fullbacks: In Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara, Brentford possess pace and quality on the wings. Neither have lit the league alight this season but have notched a couple of goals each. Expect Brentford to spring rapid transitions, releasing quick balls on top, and in behind, both Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn to exploit the mismatch in pace.
Prediction and what to expect
Honestly, we’re not expecting anything other than another disappointing day on the road. While we lamented the dreary 0-0 away draws against Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth earlier in the season, if you offered that to Howe, he’d take it.
