Newcastle United need a win to spark their Premier League campaign into life but they won’t get it easy against a Brentford side who have been excellent at home this season.
While the Magpies have impressed in the Champions League this season, they’ve been a disappointment domestically, winning just three of their first 10 Premier League games.
Eddie Howe will be looking to move up the table from 13th place and needs his team to start showing more consistency.
Juggling European and domestic commitments has been a problem and a trip to Brentford isn’t ideal off the back of Wednesday’s win over Athletic Bilbao, which brought up a bet for Slips Tips.
The Bees have been buzzing at the Gtech Community Stadium and only Manchester City have emerged from there with three points this season.
Keith Andrews’ men have beaten Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa on home turf so they will fancy their chances in this one.
Their fine run of form ended with a 2-0 loss away to Crystal Palace last weekend, with Jean Philippe Mateta bringing up a bet for me, but they will be confident of bouncing back at their fortress.
How the bookies view it: Bees overpriced at 19/10
With Brentford in such good form at home, I’m surprised to see them as big as 19/10 for a win at BOYLE Sports. Newcastle are 11/8 favourites and the draw pays 23/10.
Recent head to head: Magpies are flying
Newcastle United have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, losing just one of the last nine meetings. But that defeat was a 4-2 reverse on their trip to the Gtech last season.
Players to watch: Igor in the groove
Igor Thiago has been in fantastic form for Brentford this season, with seven goals from 11 appearances. The Brazilian is 13/8 at Bet365 to keep up his streak with another strike.
Howe will probably freshen things up after that big European win in midweek. Jacob Murphy should deputise for the injured Anthony Gordon and is 6/4 at Bet365 to either score or assist.
Probable line-ups
Brentford have a pretty clean bill of health, with only fringe players Benjamin Arthur and Antoni Milambo sidelined.
Newcastle winger Gordon is set to miss out after his injury against Bilbao, joining Yoane Wissa and Tino Livramento on the sidelines. Howe could also make a few changes to bring fresh energy to his team.
Brentford: Kelleher, Van den Berg, Ajer, Collins, Kayode, Henderson, Schade, Yarmoliuk, Ouattara,Damsgaard, Thiago.
Newcastle United: Pope, Burn, Schar, Thiaw, Trippier, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Joelinton, Murphy, Elanga, Woltemade.
Anything else catch the eye?
Brentford’s Michael Kayode created six chances form open play in their win over West Ham a few weeks so he could be worth a punt for an assist here. The young Italian is a whopping 10/1 at Bet365 to set one up.
The Bees won on the corner count in all three of their home games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester City. So it could pay to back them for most corners here at 20/21 with Bet365 while Brentford –1 in that handicap pays 7/5.
Brentford will look to take advantage of any tiredness from Newcastle so there could be some value in a first-half Bees goal at 11/10 with BOYLE Sports.
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