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Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United will be hoping for a first victory since gameweek 1 when they host Brentford on Saturday evening. The Magpies started the season in perfect fashion, thumping Aston Villa 5-1 in a ruthless display but they have since followed that up with three defeats against sides they would like to be in and around this campaign – Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion.
While Brentford are perhaps expected to finish in the tier below, it doesn’t make this game any easier for the hosts who will also have half an eye on their return to the Champions League next week. The Bees are unbeaten so far, drawing with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth while thumping rivals Fulham on their own patch.
We have done the research so you don’t have to when it comes to building your Newcastle vs Brentford bet builder. Read on below to learn the stats that could win you money this weekend. We have sorted a Stats Pack Guide for further information on how to utilise what is provided in this piece.
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Newcastle vs Brentford Predicted Lineups
Howe has some big decisions to make
The primary issue for Eddie Howe heading into this game is whether to stick with Matt Targett at left back or move Dan Burn back in favour of club captain Jamaal Lascelles following the former’s troubles at Brighton. Sandro Tonali remains a doubt meaning Sean Longstaff could get an opportunity to impress while there could be a change up front with joint top goalscorer Callum Wilson pushing for a return to the starting XI.
Brentford settled and could stick with a four
The primary debate with Thomas Frank’s team selections is whether he deems it a game worthy of reverting to a back five or sticking with a back four. Newcastle are one of the best in the division but have performed more as a unit rather than with world class individuals stepping up, making this a tough decision for Frank. With no fresh injury concerns noted, the Bees could remain unchanged from the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
NEWCASTLE VS BRENTFORD TEAM STATS
Magpies a nightmare for referees
When it comes to Newcastle shots, you can take it a couple of ways. They have managed 23 shots on target this season – 20 of those have come at home. However, they have also managed 11 in their last three matches and eight of those came in a game against ten men. What you can be surer of is cards and fouls – the Magpies have accrued the third most cards in the division and sit top of the fouls committed and fouls drawn tables.
Bees stinging opponents
Despite their difficulties killing games off, Thomas Frank’s side are creating chances at will – no team in the Premier League has a better xG for. They are hurting teams while also being one of the cleanest teams in the league – they have collected only four cards in their opening fixtures and committed the fifth fewest fouls – we will see if Newcastle bring a different side out of them. Brentford are the joint-most fouled team – this will clearly be a popular avenue in any Newcastle vs Brentford bet builder.
NEWCASTLE VS BRENTFORD SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET stats
Isak the main man for Newcastle
There has been a clear shift in the Newcastle frontline this season with Alexander Isak tasked with being the main man, winning the battle against fellow sharp-shooter Callum Wilson. The Swede has led the line well, managing four shots on target in his two home games. He was a little wayward against Brighton – four shots, none on target – but is clearly getting into goalscoring positions. Harvey Barnes is one to watch having managed a shot in all four of his appearances from the bench – he could be a fruitful pick for your bet builder if given the nod.
Wissa shooting for fun
Ivan who? Yoane Wissa is racking up shots as the main man for Brentford, the whippet forward has mustered a hugely impressive 4.1 shots per 90 this campaign with 1.37 per 90 of those on target. Keep an eye on the Brentford midfield – the trio of Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt have taken four, four and three shots this season and are available at 1.44, 1.62 and 1.67 to have a single shot on Saturday.
NEWCASTLE VS BRENTFORD GOALS AND ASSISTS stats
Goals shared at Newcastle
Newcastle have shared the goals and assists out so far this season – four players have directly contributed to two goals while another four have contributed to one. The predicted changes see Isak, Wilson and Barnes leading the line and the trio have all managed two contributions apiece so far, all three are direct and strong runners that will fancy themselves against a stubborn Brentford backline.
Mbuemo flying for Brentford
Thomas Frank will have challenged his squad to step up in the absence of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo has certainly answered the call, following up his 17 goal involvements last season with four in four this term, including a brace against local rivals Fulham, goals against Spurs and Bournemouth and even bagging another against Burundi on international duty. He’s confident, Brentford’s penalty taker and available for you to back to score anytime at 4.00 in your Newcastle vs Brentford bet builder.
NEWCASTLE VS BRENTFORD PASSING STATS
Newcastle likely to see plenty of the ball
When you have a player with the quality of Kieran Trippier’s right boot, it makes sense to utilise it and Newcastle clearly do – he averaged 75.1 passes per 90 last season and has stepped that up further this season with 84.5 attempted passes. If you are looking for an alternative in your bet builder, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman have averaged 70+ attempted passes – whoever starts at centre back could be worth backing.
Brentford not so fussy with possession
Brentford and possession is hit and miss – they are quite happy to stay organised and in shape or take on the challenge of moving the ball. The likelihood is that Saturday will see them positioned in the former role, watching Newcastle play deep and looking to press and frustrate them in their attempts to move forward. Ethan Pinnock and Mathias Jensen see most of the ball for Brentford, averaging just over 50 passes, but they might fall short of that.
NEWCASTLE CARDS AND FOULS Stats
Joelinton continues to be pure Joelinton
Newcastle’s Brazilian midfield must be an absolute nightmare to play against. Bruno Guimaraes has already been booked twice this term having committed an impressive nine fouls. He’s one behind Joelinton, the powerhouse South American who gets about the pitch and causes chaos. With Brentford the most fouled team in the league he will be looking forward to getting stuck in. Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier have already committed at least five fouls – Schar is 2.00 to foul an opponent.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the fleet-footed, pacy members of the Brentford side that cause much of the chaos for opponents. Right back Aaron Hickey has drawn 2.57 fouls per 90 minutes played this term and if Newcastle do play Isak on the left wing, Joelinton could be the man tasked with covering that flank to leave Isak higher up the pitch. Meanwhile, striker Yoane Wissa is at 2.43 – that Schar foul at evens is looking even more tempting now.
Newcastle vs Brentford Key Matchups
Joelinton vs Mathias Jensen
Anthony Gordon vs Aaron Hickey
Fabian Schar vs Yoane Wissa
Brentford Cards and Fouls Stats
Physical Brentford surprisingly hands-off
Even in a small sample size there have not been any prolific foulers, at least in the predicted lineup, at Brentford so far this season and it will be interesting to see how that develops over the course of the campaign. Bryan Mbeumo is an option for a foul for his potency so far this season and up against a street-smart Newcastle backline it would not be a surprise to see him provoke the referee’s whistle on Tyneside.
Anthony Gordon has returned a different player after winning the Euros with England U21s in the summer and has been one of the most prolific dribblers in the league. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against Rico Henry, while midfield engine roomer Bruno Guimaraes is usually in the thick of the battle in the centre of the park.
Newcastle vs Brentford key Matchups
Rico Henry vs Kieran Trippier
Christian Norgaard vs Bruno Guimaraes
Aaron Hickey vs Joelinton
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