Thomas Frank is confident Newcastle United will give his Brentford side their biggest test yet this season on home soil when they clash at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Brentford, along with Brighton and Arsenal, are yet to taste defeat in front of their own supporters this season, but the Bees have failed to carry that form into their away games.
Frank's men were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa on Wednesday, leaving them with one point from their seven games on the road, which is the joint-worst record in the division.
And the Brentford boss expects a tough test for his players, citing Newcastle's performance against Liverpool in midweek as the level Eddie Howe's side can reach.
“Newcastle have looked good this season. And Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job over the last three years,” said Frank. “First they stayed in the league. Two years ago they ended up in the Champions League.
“And last year they were in the Champions League for the first time in a long time, they had the experience of that and still managed to finish seventh – that would normally have given them a European place, but unfortunately that didn't happen.” .
“This season I think they are back to the high level of two years ago. I don't think they have been rewarded enough with the points and results. They were brilliant at home against Arsenal, and they were brilliant.” Wednesday at home against Liverpool.
“So I think it's an Eddie Howe team that is at its best and will be a big test for us; this will be the biggest test we've faced at home so far this season.”
A better second half, but it's a defeat at Villa Park. pic.twitter.com/ChBpQWSukn
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 4, 2024
Although Newcastle are without a win in their last three Premier League games, their performance against Arne Slot's side will give the supporters plenty of encouragement moving forward.
Their latest point took them above Manchester United and into the top half of the table, but they now sit six points behind the top four but still have a favorable run of games in hand.
After Brentford, the Magpies face Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Aston Villa and Manchester United in the league, and Newcastle boss Howe believes his side can use their performance against Liverpool as a solid foundation to build on for their upcoming competitions.
“It was a great match. There was a lot of quality on the pitch and we were happy to fight back in the end, but also disappointed that in the mix of it all we also lost a lead.
“There was a feeling that when you play against Liverpool you need as many goals as possible because you know their qualities and they never go out of the game. That other goal has kept us busy all season, but at least we are creating chances .
“It was all there, and you can see the quality of the goals and our individual players. I'm really happy with that dynamic. We need to be in a position to build the level of trust.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brentford – Yoane Wissa
Wissa has scored in each of his last six Premier League home games for Brentford, totaling eight goals.
In total he scored 18 goals at the Gtech Community Stadium in the competition, just one shy of Ivan Toney's record of 19.
Continuing his phenomenal start to the campaign
Yoane Wissa has been nominated for @premierleague 'Player of the Month' in November pic.twitter.com/04NIzk7M1m
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 5, 2024
Newcastle – Harvey Barnes
Barnes was brought on as a substitute in Newcastle's draw against Liverpool in midweek, but he hopes to be deployed in the capital from the start.
He has scored seven goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances in London, while scoring in each of the last two seasons at Brentford, for Leicester in 2022/23 and the Magpies on the final day of last season.
MATCH PREDICTION: Draw
While Opta's data-based simulations predict a draw, Newcastle have won their last five Premier League games against Brentford – only against Burnley between 2020 and 2024 (six) and Tottenham between 2006 and 2008 (six) have they had a longer winning streak in the competition. competition.
The Magpies have also won their last five away games against the Bees, in a run dating back to 1992. They have only won more consecutive away games against Derby County in their league history (seven between 1951 and 1965).
However, Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their last thirteen away Premier League games against London sides, scoring 26 goals. They have conceded at least twice in eight of their last ten games in the capital.
But Brentford will rely on the comforts of home to return to winning ways. They have scored more home points than any other team in the Premier League this season (19). Their 19 points are the most after seven home games of a league season since 2004-05 (21 in League One), while their 22 goals are the most after seven home games since 1971-72 (26 in the fourth tier).
They have also won their last four home games in the Premier League, conceding the first goal in each of the last three of those. No team in the history of the Premier League has won four home games in a row and conceded the first goal in each home game.
But this has historically been a difficult match for the Bees, who are winless in all six of their Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D1 L5), the most times they have faced an opponent without ever winning in the competition.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Brentford – 35.1%
Draw – 25%
Newcastle – 39.8%
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