Brentford and Newcastle go head-to-head in mid-table clash.
Brentford vs. Newcastle kicks off at 14:00 [GMT] on Sunday, November 9, at the Gtech Community.
Brentford and Newcastle renew their Premier League rivalry this weekend at the Gtech Community Stadium — and if recent history is any guide, fans can expect plenty of goals. The fixture has produced an average of 4.1 goals per game, making it the highest-scoring matchup in Premier League history among fixtures played at least eight times. Across those eight meetings, the teams have combined for 33 goals, with half of them featuring at least six goals scored. Brentford will take confidence from their 4-2 victory in this exact fixture last season, their only win in eight Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D1 L6). Despite that, the Bees have often been on the receiving end of Newcastle’s attacking firepower—the Magpies have scored in every Premier League encounter between the sides, netting 21 goals in total. However, Brentford have been reliable at home when facing non-London opposition, winning 11 of their last 17 such fixtures in the league (D2 L4), including five victories from their last six. Their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Matchday 10 exposed both strengths and weaknesses. Brentford dominated possession with 64.3% and completed a season-high 392 passes, yet registered their lowest xG (0.54) and fewest shots (6) this season. One area Brentford have excelled in is set plays — particularly throw-ins. The Bees have remarkably scored from five throw-in routines in their last 11 home matches, the most by any side in a single year since Stoke City’s six in 2008. Efficiency in front of goal will be key for the 12th-place side, who are just one place and one point ahead of Newcastle. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Igor Thiago in attack is expected here. Thiago, who has scored three goals in his last three home appearances, is leading the league in high-intensity pressures — 554 in total.
Newcastle, meanwhile, arrive with concerns over their away form. Eddie Howe’s side are winless in eight Premier League away games (D4 L4), scoring more than once in none of them and converting just 4% of their chances in that run. Their current tally of 12 points after 10 games is Howe’s lowest at this stage since his Bournemouth days in 2017-18. Despite those struggles, Jacob Murphy has been a bright spark, recording his 50th Premier League goal involvement (21 goals, 29 assists) last weekend. The winger has contributed to 21 goals in his last 30 starts, including scoring in consecutive matches—and he’ll look to extend that streak here. Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy could team up at the attacking end of Newcastle’s 4—3—3 formation.