On Sunday afternoon, Newcastle United will travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to play Brentford in the last Premier League game of the season. The goal for both teams is to earn their spot on the European stage next season.
Wednesday’s loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford was a big blow to Newcastle’s chances of making it to Europe. On the other hand, the Bees will be trying to build on their last-second win at Bournemouth.
After a hard-fought win over Bournemouth on the South Coast last Saturday, Brentford has only lost one of their last eight Premier League games. Both of the Bees’ top scorers this season scored goals to earn all three points for the visitors.
After 85 minutes with no goals, the game really got going when Bryan Mbeumo scored his ninth goal of the league season. The Cherries quickly got back on track with a goal from Dominic Solanke, but it was Brentford who won in extra time when Yoane Wissa scored from the bench.
Because newly promoted teams Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United are having a hard time at the bottom of the division, Thomas Frank’s Bees have a steady 39 points from 37 games, which means they won’t have to worry about relegation on the last day. They are 13 points ahead of the 17th-placed Hatters.
Even though Brentford is only competing for a minor spot on Sunday afternoon, the hosts will want to keep up their great defensive work at the Gtech Community Stadium against Newcastle. The capital club has kept a clean sheet in all three of their last home games.
Ivan Toney missed the first half of the 2023–24 season because he was suspended for breaking FA betting rules. He has since returned to the first team at the Gtech and scored four goals in 16 Premier League games. The 28-year-old hopes to play for Gareth Southgate’s England team at the European Championships this summer.
As bad as Newcastle’s home problems have been, their away problems got even worse on Wednesday night, when they lost ground in the race for European football next season after losing to Manchester United in a five-goal thriller at Old Trafford.
After a tough loss to rivals and title contenders Arsenal over the weekend at the same venue, Erik ten Hag’s team played better to beat the guests from the North-East. Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Rasmus Hojlund all scored for Manchester United.
Eddie Howe’s team is seventh in the Premier League standings and is going to the capital on the last day. They know that they need to match Man United’s result this weekend if they want to have a chance of going to the Europa League or Conference League after failing in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season.
If the Premier League was decided only by away form, the Magpies would be in a relegation battle, like it was during the Mike Ashley era. This season, Newcastle have lost 11 of their 18 away games, while only Brentford (12), Luton (13) and Sheffield United (15) have lost more away games.
English powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool are interested in Alexander Isak. He could play his last game for the North-East giants this weekend. The 20-goal Swede is currently tied for third place in the division’s Golden Boot race with Erling Haaland (27) and Cole Palmer (22).
Ben Mee (ankle) and Josh Dasilva (knee) will both be out for Sunday’s game for Brentford. The good news is that both players signed one-year extensions to their contracts with the club this week.
Since Wissa scored the game-winning goal in extra time at the Vitality Stadium, he might be moved up into the starting lineup, which could mean Keane Lewis-Potter loses his spot.
Instead of Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry, the Bees are still going strong without them at left back. This means that Sergio Reguilon and Kristoffer Ajer will keep their spots on the team.
Newcastle’s Gordon might not be able to go to London this weekend because of a bad hit from Man United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on Wednesday. Harvey Barnes and Miguel Almiron could fill in for the former Everton youngster.
Due to a thigh injury, Callum Wilson missed the last two league games. He is ready for selection at the Gtech and could start right away if Howe decides to go with a two-man forward line.
Martin Dubravka, the goalie who had a terrible game at Old Trafford last week, could be replaced by Nick Pope, who is healthy again, on Sunday.
Brentford Predicted starting lineup:
Flekken; Ajer, James Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Reguilon;, Janelt, Mikkel Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Toney
Newcastle United Predicted starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, FabianBurn, Lewis Hall; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Anderson; Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak
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