Aiming to stretch their Premier League winning run to five matches, Newcastle United make a swift return to the capital to tackle Brentford on Saturday afternoon at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Magpies demolished a disjointed West Ham United side 5-1 on Wednesday, while the Bees were put to the sword 1-0 by Manchester United at the same time in midweek.

Match preview

Forever remaining upbeat and gracious in defeat, Brentford boss Thomas Frank took the positives from his side's narrow loss to Man United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, where a first-half strike from Marcus Rashford did the damage.

The Bees were agonisingly close to gleaning a point through Kevin Schade, but the German was thwarted one-on-one by David de Gea in the second half as Brentford's winless run in the top division stretched to three matches, and Frank nevertheless insisted that being disappointed at losing to Man United was a sign of how far Brentford had come.

However, a run of just two wins from eight Premier League matches has dented the hosts' European aspirations somewhat, as they enter the weekend occupying ninth place in the Premier League table, level on points with eighth-placed Liverpool - who have a game in hand - and one behind Aston Villa in the seventh and potentially final continental spot.

When the going gets tough, Brentford can always turn to their remarkable home record for a healthy dose of inspiration, as the Bees still just have the one league defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium on their notebook this season - a 3-0 reverse to Arsenal in September.

Since being swept aside by the runaway league leaders, Frank's crop have gone 10 Premier League games without defeat in front of their own fans - scoring in each of their last eight on home soil - but Newcastle have recent when it comes to capital drubbings.

West Ham were the architects of their own downfall at the London Stadium on Wednesday evening, and Newcastle gratefully accepted the gifts that were handed to them, putting five past the woeful Hammers and plunging David Moyes's job into even more doubt.

Following early strikes from Callum Wilson and Joelinton, Kurt Zouma's header on the stroke of half time gave West Ham a slight glimmer of hope, but the Newcastle duo completed their braces in the second half either side of an Alexander Isak lob to round off a thumping triumph.

Having recovered from the February lull which saw them drop out of the Champions League spots and fall to defeat to Man United in the EFL Cup final, Newcastle are back in control of their podium destiny, sitting in third place in the table and clear of the Red Devils on goal difference.

Eddie Howe has now overseen a four-game winning run in the top flight - with his side scoring 11 goals while conceding just three in that hot streak - and for the more superstitious supporters, Newcastle are unbeaten in their 15 Premier League 3pm kickoffs under Howe thus far.

Brentford and West Ham can now empathise when it comes to 5-1 losses against Newcastle, as the Bees lost by that scoreline at St James' Park back in October, prior to which the Magpies clinched a 2-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium last season thanks to Joelinton and Joe Willock's efforts.

Team News

Brentford boss Frank was boosted by the return of Vitaly Janelt to training following a knee injury earlier this week, and while the German was unable to return against Man United, he could force his way back into the hosts' squad for Saturday.

However, fellow midfielder Frank Onyeka also missed the Old Trafford loss with a minor thigh issue and remains sidelined, while neither Kristoffer Ajer (calf) nor Keane Lewis-Potter (knee) are likely to be back for another few weeks yet.

Having been left largely satisfied with what he saw on Wednesday, Frank may see little reason to make significant changes, but Yoane Wissa and Aaron Hickey should feel optimistic of coming back into the starting XI.

As for Newcastle, Willock shook off a thigh concern to come off the bench at the London Stadium in midweek, and Howe has no fresh concerns to report from the thrashing of West Ham.

However, Miguel Almiron (thigh) and Emil Krafth (knee) will both miss out again, while Ryan Fraser remains in exile with the Under-21s, but the former Bournemouth man would have little chance of forcing his way into the first XI either way.

Having featured from the first whistle in all of Newcastle's four recent wins, Jacob Murphy can look forward to a fifth successive Premier League start this week, as Isak and Anthony Gordon provide impetus from the bench once more.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Jansson, Pinnock, Mee; Hickey, Norgaard, Jensen, Janelt, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Wilson, Saint-Maximin

We say: Brentford 1-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle may still proudly boast the stingiest defence in the league, but clean sheets have been hard to come by for Howe's side recently, so Brentford should certainly feel confident of making the net ripple in front of their own supporters.

The Bees' eye-catching record at the Gtech Community Stadium has served them well all season long, but victories have been drying up for Frank's side in recent weeks, and a Newcastle side who just cannot stop winning at present can inflict a second home loss of the season on the hosts to retain their place on the podium.


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