English Premier
2026-02-07 - Newcastle United vs Brentford
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 7th February 2025 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Newcastle United
The final aggregate scoreline, 5-1, did not quite tell the tale of the League Cup Semi Final defeat to Manchester City, but it was a defeat for Newcastle United who lost the grip of the trophy they won eleven months ago. Eddie Howe was not entirely happy with the first half display in the Second Leg that saw Newcastle United miss some big chances, but also capitulate with the tie out of sight when the half time whistle blew.
That did allow the manager to ring the changes, but the fixture list is unrelenting right now for a Newcastle United team hit hard by injury. They were beaten last weekend at Anfield which means Newcastle United are not only 11th in the Premier League table, but they are now are 6 points behind Liverpool in the top six with hopes of a Champions League returning fading, at least via the final finish in this Division. The Magpies will be looking to halve that points deficit on Saturday evening when hosting at St James' Park where Newcastle United have a 7-2-3 record.
Newcastle United are struggling for any kind of form and have won 1 of the last 7 games in all competitions, while the defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday means they have been beaten in 3 of the last 4. The home record had been the one shining light of the season, but Newcastle United have lost 2 of the last 3 here in all competitions, including a 0-2 defeat to Aston Villa in the last Premier League fixture hosted at St James' Park.
Anthony Gordon picked up a hamstring complaint before half time during the week and has to be considered a real doubt. Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes will be desperate to return to the squad this weekend, but Joelinton, Emil Krafth, Tino Livarmento and Fabian Schar are expected to be missing.
Brentford
They continue to operate without making the big Premier League headlines, but Keith Andrews and his Brentford team are still putting some significant results together. Last Sunday they did need to ride their luck at times, but Brentford left Villa Park with an important 0-1 win and the next four months could give the fans a season to remember.
Earning a spot in a UEFA competition in a campaign when so many tipped Brentford to struggle would be a remarkable achievement, while the side are looking to continue progressing in the FA Cup. The Bees are now up to 7th in the Premier League table, which may yet be enough to earn European Football, while they have a 4-0-8 record away from home.
Brentford had lost consecutive Premier League games by the same 2-0 scoreline against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, but the victory last weekend means they have won 6 of the last 9 in all competitions. In a six week period from November through to mid-December, Brentford had lost 5 straight away games in all competitions, but they make the long journey to the North East having since won 4 of the last 5 on their travels.
Kevin Schade is suspended after being sent off at Villa Park.
Head to Head
Brentford came from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium earlier this season.
Visits to St James' Park have been more of a challenge though and Newcastle United have beaten Brentford in 4 consecutive fixtures here in all competitions.
Prediction
In usual circumstances you would have Newcastle United down as a pretty strong favourite to beat Brentford, but the price has been drifting on the home team and that is understandable.
Without a doubt the squad has been stretched through injury and there have been a lot of flat moments within some of the recent performances.
However, that is not to say there have been no positives and this is a team that still creates chances and who will be a lot better if Bruno Guimaraes is available this weekend. The Captain has been a significant miss in the middle of the park, especially with Joelinton also absent, while the injury to Anthony Gordon is a blow, but with options available for Eddie How to keep the attacking intent moving forward.
Bruno Guimaraes is close to irreplaceable and his availability will be key.
Despite the drift in pricing, Newcastle United will be hoping that Guimaraes is back this weekend and that will just make them a little tougher overall.
A poor run of form cannot be ignored, although it should be noted that the underlying numbers are not terrible and so there is a real belief that Newcastle United will have too much for Brentford, even through the current injury crisis.
Keith Andrews did guide Brentford to a win at Villa Park last weekend, which has to be respected, but Kevin Schade is going to miss this fixture and they cannot rely on poor finishing for a second week in a row. The Bees should also anticipate a highly motivated Yoane Wissa to want to remind them of his qualities that Brentford were desperate to retain last summer and this is a side that have been all or nothing away from home this season.
Brentford are on a positive run of 4 wins in 5 away games played in all competitions, but one of those was at bottom club Wolves and another at Sheffield Wednesday of the Championship in the FA Cup. Those other wins at Everton and Aston Villa should keep Newcastle United focused, but Brentford remain a team that will give up some very good chances and that is where the home side may just have enough to punish them at odds against this weekend.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford
