EFL Cup champions Newcastle United continue their quest for Champions League football when they host Brentford at St James' Park in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The Magpies are in sixth place with 47 points and are only two points from fourth-placed Chelsea, while the Bees are in 11th place with 41 points and beat Bournemouth 2-1 on March 15 in their last league outing.
Match preview
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Newcastle claimed their first trophy in 70 years when they defeated Liverpool 2-1 on March 16 in the EFL Cup final, and the victory came about as a result of their impressive physicality, with the Toon winning 58% of the duels they contested against the Reds.
Eddie Howe's side managed to beat West Ham United 1-0 on March 10 in their most recent Premier League clash, and they kept their first clean sheet in seven top-flight matches.
The Magpies are in the midst of a scramble for European football between nearly half of the division given just five points separate 10th-placed Bournemouth from Chelsea.
Newcastle have won two and lost two of their last four in all competitions, though they have been beaten in three of their past five in the league, winning on two occasions.
Howe's side have also been inconsistent home considering they have succumbed to defeat in three of their five most recent games at St James' Park – achieving victory twice – but they have won seven of their last 10 at home.
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Opponents Brentford recovered from an early one-goal deficit to win 2-1 against Bournemouth, scoring twice from set pieces while creating just 0.2 xG from open play.
The visitors have in fact taken 107 shots originating from set pieces – 31.66% of their total attempts – the fifth-largest proportion of any team in the division.
Thomas Frank's team have played Newcastle twice this season, winning 4-2 in the league on December 7 and losing 3-1 in the EFL Cup on December 18.
Brentford's recent form has been positive, with the club winning three, drawing one and losing one of their past five.
The Bees did lose seven and draw two of their first nine away fixtures in the Premier League, but they have since won five consecutive league matches on the road while scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice.
Team News
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Howe is facing a selection dilemma in the backline considering Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are all unavailable.
Perhaps Newcastle will field the same back four they used against Liverpool, with Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Tino Livramento likely to appear on Wednesday.
Winger Anthony Gordon is recovering from a hip injury which could keep him out for a few weeks, and his injury may see Alexander Isak flanked by Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
Meanwhile, Brentford could be without several players at St James' Park, with attackers Gustavo Gomes, Fabio Carvalho, Igor Thiago and Joshua Dasilva set to miss out.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are certain to feature in the forward line, and they could be joined by Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade.
Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock and Keane Lewis-Potter started in a back four against Bournemouth, and given defenders Aaron Hickey and Michael Kayode will not be in the matchday squad, the prior four may be stationed in defence once again.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa
We say: Newcastle United 1-2 Brentford
Brentford are excellent duellists and will be able to match Newcastle's physicality across the pitch.
Additionally, the Bees' counter-attacking threat away from home has been excellent in recent weeks, and they could win at St James' Park on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
