Newcastle United will hope to return to winning ways when they host Brentford at St. James' Park.
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It’s been a difficult start to the season for Eddie Howe’s side. Newcastle swept past Aston Villa in a 5-1 opening-weekend victory, but have since stalled, losing their following three matches.
They face a Brentford team who are unbeaten so far this season, although the Bees have recorded only one win.
Team news
Sven Botman could be restored to Newcastle's defence after returning to training this week, but Sandro Tonali will be assessed having missed Italy's midweek win over Ukraine with a "minor complaint".
After re-joining Brentford from Everton on Transfer Deadline Day, Neal Maupay is set to be included in the Bees' squad while Mikkel Damsgaard has a "slim chance" of being involved.
Last five meetings
Brentford 1-2 Newcastle - 8 April 2023
Newcastle 5-1 Brentford - 8 October 2022
Brentford 0-2 Newcastle - 26 February 2022
Newcastle 3-3 Brentford - 20 November 2021
Brentford 1-0 Newcastle - 22 December 2020 (League Cup)
Key facts
Both teams prided themselves on their defensive records last season, with Newcastle conceding the joint-fewest goals in the Premier League and Brentford the joint-third-fewest. They have both, however, struggled to repeat this defensive prowess in 2023/24, with only one clean sheet between them from a combined eight matches.
After keeping a clean sheet in six consecutive Premier League contests between November 2022 and January 2023, Newcastle have since recorded only two shutouts from 22 matches.
Although they remain unbeaten with one win and three draws, Brentford have dropped the most points from winning positions of any side in the competition this season with six, They have drawn against Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth, despite leading in each match.
Brentford have won their last two away Premier League matches against Spurs and Fulham, and could win three in a row on the road for the first time in the top flight.
What the managers said
Eddie Howe: "It's a game that we have to approach in the right way, it's a difficult game, a very dangerous opponent. They've got good skills and a good way of playing, got their obvious threats, but for us, we have to return to our highest level of performance. I think if we do, then I'd back us to get the job done." More details
Thomas Frank: "I don't think they have got the results they will have wanted in the first four games. I've watched all four games through and they were very tight; they could easily have got more out of them than they did." More details
