Brentford (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

This one feels massive. Not just because Burnley are now just two points behind us (with a game in hand) after their win over Spurs in midweek, but because we can leapfrog a Brentford side in freefall with a victory!

The Bees have won just one of their last 10 league games and have lost seven of their last eight in all competitions, picking up a point along the way – courtesy of an awful 0-0 draw with Palace earlier this month.

On the flip side, we are on a six-game unbeaten – the last time we lost was when Man City came to Tyneside in mid December – and followed three wins on the trot with a hugely impressive performance at West Ham last weekend, where we drew 1-1.

Sounds great, doesn’t it! Especially when we’d be ahead of Brentford AND have two games in hand with a win. However, not only is Saint-Maximin likely to be on the bench, at best, ahead of a late fitness test and Manquillo missing again (he’s trained but still isn’t ‘100%’, says Howe), Thomas Frank revealed a huge double boost for the hosts on Friday afternoon.

Ivan Toney is fit and ready to return after three games out, while Christian Eriksen will make his debut – probably from the bench, but it’ll still give them a lift going into a such a massive game.

Elsewhere, our relegation rivals have tough fixtures, making this an even bigger chance (in theory) for Newcastle to pull clear. Norwich remain bottom after being beaten comfortably by the in-form Southampton on Friday night and, fresh from conceding 10 goals in their last two league games, Leeds face Spurs in Saturday’s early kick off.

Watford travel to Man Utd, Burnley take on a Palace side who just put four past the Hornets (before playing their game in hand against Leicester next week) and Everton welcome Man City to Goodison for Saturday night’s game on Sky Sports.

With Brentford receiving a pre-match boost but being woefully out of form, this is still a big chance to potentially sink a relegation rival that have gone under the radar for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

Having Saint-Maximin would be a huge help – he’s our difference maker and caused havoc in the reverse fixture – but we proved last weekend that we are now a capable, confident and competent side; even without big hitters like ASM, Trippier and Wilson.

Team news

Eddie Howe has confirmed he’ll make a ‘late call’ on Allan Saint-Maximin after he’s been in France for treatment on his calf, while Javier Manquillo is tough and go after returning to training.

Kieran Trippier (foot), Callum Wilson (calf) and Matt Ritchie (knee) remain out, however it looks like the hosts will have Ivan Toney back, with Christian Eriksen set to make his debut; probably from the bench.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Willock, Shelvey, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Murphy.

Martin Dubravka – Didn’t have much to do at the London Stadium – which shows how much we’ve improved defensively – but did make a good save to deny Bowen early on. Will need to be strong against a Brentford side who love to throw high balls into the box.

Emil Krafth – With Manquillo likely to be fit enough for the bench at best, the Swede should start again. Gave away a silly free kick for West Ham’s goal, but has done a decent job when called upon by Howe.

Fabian Schar – Has added consistency and composure to his game under Howe. Hopefully that continues here and he resists being dragged into too much of a fight with the physical Ivan Toney.

Dan Burn – A class act once again last weekend, but also showed his no nonsense side that will be needed in this battle at Brentford.

Matt Targett – Has barely put a foot wrong in his first two games for the club. Put plenty balls into the box last time out and linked up nicely with Murphy at times.

Joe Willock – Arrives on the back of his best display of the season and that well deserved goal he’s been waiting for. Hope to see him make more driving runs and carry the goal threat we know he can offer. Guimaraes will have to wait another week for his first start, you’d think!

Jonjo Shelvey – Another disciplined display needed against a tough Brentford midfield. However, if we win that battle, we’ll have to hope he finds his passing range to release the likes of Fraser and Murphy.

 Joelinton – Back to his brilliant best as this big bulldozing midfielder last weekend. The only thing missing is that sprinkle of quality in the final third he often lacks. Could actually be key in stopping Toney, who often drops deep to link up the play.

Ryan Fraser –  Passed fit after limping off at West Ham and it’s just as well. His energy, drive, movement and balls into the box have been key in recent weeks.

Jacob Murphy – Had a mixed afternoon last Saturday. Carried a threat in the first half and linked up nicely with Targett at times, but offered very little in the second and seemed to tire. He has the pace to beat a man and quick feet too, however he needs to step up if ASM is out once again.

Chris Wood – Does the dirty work well and wins so many headers, but we need to see more from the big man. Needs a goal badly – especially when his replacement at Burnley (Wout Weghorst) is looking like a much better piece of business at present!

No description available.

Predicted Brentford XI (3-5-2): Raya – Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock – Canos, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry – Mbuemo, Toney.

Match prediction

I don’t think it’ll be pretty, but I’m backing us to get revenge for that 3-3 draw we really should’ve won in Eddie Howe’s first ‘official’ game in charge (which he watched on from a nearby hotel with Covid!).

Whether Saint-Maximin is fit or not, we showed enough last weekend to believe we can be too strong for an under confident Brentford side who’ve been struggling for months.

They may have Toney back and will be boosted by Eriksen’s presence, however it’s a team game and we look a very decent one these days!

Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Newcastle

HOWAY THE LADS!

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

80 thoughts on “Brentford (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

  1. Just watched Saints v Norwich and I’m certain Norwich are going down bottom of the league.
    They had absolutely nothing tonight.

      (Quote)

  2. Can’t see Watford surviving either. Who takes the 3rd spot. I think Burnley and us have enough to stay up. Swapping wood for waghorst seems like it will be enough for them.

    Which leaves Brentford, Everton and Leeds, and to be fair it could be any of them.

      (Quote)

  3. Be good to have St Max, Bruno and Manq all on the bench. That will give us a lot of options.

    There seem to be a lot of conspiracy theories about St Max. The Geordie Drunkard (Dentist, he is getting nowhere near my fcn teeth) was saying something today, but just like always wont get specific. That’s why I find The Three Amigos hard to watch coz they say the know something then say they cant divulge! Then shut your gob and dont tease it!!!

      (Quote)

  4. Prem: Blue Bindippers for me. They have the 7th most expensive squad in the PL. I really dont think there is much quality there though. Can Super-Frank get a tune out of Dele Alli? Calvert-Lewin is probably key.

    I hate to say it, but the “Friends of Frank” are probably right that their squad is STILL better than the rest, bar us. But, it will be funny if it happens.

    I reckon if we beat Brentford then it will be them going down. Difficult though innit. Leeds have looked terrible. I watched them against the Red Bindippers and if Bielsa didnt have his Sainthood from the media there would be calls for him to be sacked.

      (Quote)

  5. Lawro predicts 2-1 Brentford. His theory is that they have been so bad for so long that things will eventually get better and the Toon game is when that happens. The premise doesnt lead to the conclusion. However, I am still worried about Brentford.

    My problem is people saying that West Ham are better than Brentford, and we did well against West Ham, therefore we will beat Brentford. Football doesnt work like that. Just like it doesnt work like Lawro says. West Ham are overrated anyway. They are not a CL team, they are 7th or 8th, but all of their Pals in the media just wish them to be CL and talk them up as such.

    My own thoughts are that momentum is key and usually continues until it stops 🙂 (that is almost what Lawro is saying, but not quite). Hopefully that is not this weekend. We probably should be favourites with the bookies, but we are not. It is very close and a draw is about the same odds as either team to win.

    I think Lawro is looking for the outlier prediction so he can say “I told you so”. But he does tend to hate Newcastle for whatever reason. Will be great in a few years when we stuff a Klopp-less Liverpool and wipe the smirk off his face.

      (Quote)

  6. I agree with Olly’s team selection, but I would really like us to shock Brentford with a different formation, a 4-4-1-1. I know, I know – if it aint broke dont fix it! But I would like to see Willock as a 10. It would mean taking Murphy out but Willock and Big Joe have a lot of energy so it might work. In MY ideal world, assuming ASM is not fit and Manq is fit:

    Dubs

    Manq Burn Schar Targett

    Fraser Shelvey Bruno Big Joe

    Little Joe

    Wood

    I went all Bonanza there. Olly probably doesnt know what that is 🙂 Too young.

      (Quote)

  7. Going to be tough game I reckon, would not be surprised if Erikson scores, he’ll want to prove he’s fighting fit and back to his old self.

    It’s my birthday on monday so a win would be a nice early present.

      (Quote)

  8. The Ponderosa
    See Eric, I remember it well, used to watch with my parents, Dad loved all things cowboy, used to watch High Chaparral too which I preferred . I know he watched Rawhide but I cannot remember it just the Theme tune really. Then there’s the Virginian, watched that too.

      (Quote)

  9. It’s not something we are known for but an early goal today would be great.

    It would quieten their fans down with Eriksen being back & would mean they would have to chase the game – that would be good for our counter attack.

    I think we win 2-0.

      (Quote)

  10. Hoping to enjoy the game, been busy decorating the lads room all week, this house needs so much work on it . I have 3 rooms half done and **** and muddles everywhere. Workmen coming and going and it’s driving me nuts tbh and as for the Garden that’s come to a screaming halt until work on the sunroom is completed.
    My bedroom is a dumping ground and I can’t get used to a messy bedroom and I cannot find a b loody thing anywhere.
    Too old for this, why did I move.
    Anyway here’s hoping the game gives me a little respite from the house of horrors.
    HWTL

      (Quote)

  11. I worry about the Leeds v Spurs game as well. Not sure Spurs do us any favours today.
    The first goal today is key. Both teams are so fragile – I think whichever team concedes first today crumbs.

    Leeds are leaking goals & if Spurs score early I think Leeds sit back worried about another hammering.

    If Spurs concede first & the Leeds fans start getting noisy, I think Spurs bottle it.

      (Quote)

  12. happy b-day in advance Kimtoon.

    Do Leeds or Spurs have any idea what they are doing?

    We know it will not end well between Conte and Levy 🙂

      (Quote)

  13. I am not even sure why I want the Blue Bindippers to fail. I look at the teams and think they are the one I dislike. Maybe it is their fan reaction to NUFC? Maybe it is the love affair of pundits with Super-Frank? It could be schadenfreude because nobody expects them to go down and it might be fun just to see the reaction?

      (Quote)

  14. leeds have like 7 players on the Spurs 18 yard box. It is madness!

    They will probably go down.

    Pity, I wanted the Blue Bindippers to go down.

      (Quote)

  15. Well that’s 3-0 Spurs and not even 30 mins played yet.

    Defensively they are awful and other than an aggressive press, they offer nothing up front.

    If this ends up 4 or 5 nil or worse, that does major damage to Leeds mentality.

      (Quote)

  16. I dont think Bielsa realises that Kane and Son are veryb good players and can punish you on the counter.

      (Quote)

  17. The Geordie Drunkard (Dentist) ‘s head is becoming like some sort of balloon animal. Looks like it, anyway. Not quite a giant balloon heed like Merse, but like one of those balloon dogs or rabbits you see at kids’ parties.

      (Quote)

  18. getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
    Joelintonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn he loves Brentford 😀

      (Quote)

  19. I know still a long way to go, but surely we have this one now. 2-0 up against 10 men. Another 2 goals from us would be great for our goal difference.

      (Quote)

  20. Gilly Toon:
    I know still a long way to go, but surely we have this one now. 2-0 up against 10 men. Another 2 goals from us would be great for our goal difference.

    Yeah it would mate. Good thing now is Brentford just need to go for broke. Of we are just careful and patient we should be able to catch them out. Just keep spreading play

      (Quote)

  21. Playing against ten men makes it easier but we’re certainly playing better.

    Is it just me or does Joelinton go down every game for treatment?

      (Quote)

  22. Stuart79:
    Playing against ten men makes it easier but we’re certainly playing better.

    Is it just me or does Joelinton go down every game for treatment?

    Yeah maybe. He’s very physical in his play so probably takes a few knocks

      (Quote)

  23. Stuart79:
    Playing against ten men makes it easier but we’re certainly playing better.

    Is it just me or does Joelinton go down every game for treatment?

    Stuart79:
    Playing against ten men makes it easier but we’re certainly playing better.

    Is it just me or does Joelinton go down every game for treatment?

    He’s had an ongoing groin issue Stu but doesn’t look like that was the problem this time.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *