Newcastle begins a new life under Eddie Howe this week, searching for their first win when they welcome Brentford. The match schedules for Saturday at the St. James Park, with kickoff at 6 pm.
The Magpies shared the spoils in their draw to Brighton. On the other hand, Brentford became victims to Norwich City’s first Premier League win.
Eddie Howe -or the Cod, as he’s often referred to around these parts – had been out of football since his acrimonious departure from Bournemouth in October. It is following a 5-1 reverse at the hands of Birmingham.
After Steve Bruce’s failure to make anything of his return to management with Newcastle, it is thought that the club is looking for a new manager who can be considered an ‘upgrade on Bruce’, something that Howe has more than proven himself to be during his time on the South Coast.
Norwich City’s 3-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday was a reminder that their great escape from the drop in the season just gone is not just a distant memory.
Despite two first-half goals from Darren Bent giving the visitors a commanding lead, Norwich managed to end their winless streak with a stoppage-time strike from Anthony Pilkington. The defeat means Brentford has lost three of their last four games.
Brentford would have jumped out of the bottom three had the previous results not gone against them. But they are still in a very sticky position, with just five points to their name after 12 matches.
Newcastle United vs. Brentford Team News
Both sides have three games against each other, with Newcastle with two wins and Brentford with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Brighton 1-1 Newcastle
- Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle
- Newcastle 2-3 Tottenham
- Wolves 2-1 Newcastle
Away
- Brentford 1-2 Norwich City
- Burnley 3-1 Brentford
- Stoke City 1-2 Brentford
- Brentford 1-2 Leicester City
- Brentford 0-1 Chelsea
Newcastle United Team News
Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser was left out of the Scotland squad with a calf problem but should be in contention to feature here.
Newcastle left-back Paul Dummett is a doubt for the Magpies opening game against Tottenham with a hamstring injury, and if the Welsh international fails to recover in time, Howe might opt for a back four.
Brentford Team News
The summer signing Zanka from Sampdoria, whose injury issues have dogged since his arrival, lasted just 12 minutes as the Bees crashed to a 2-1 defeat.
Prediction and Odds
We expect an immediate response by the Magpies under Howe to pick up their first win.
- Newcastle Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- Both Teams to Score
