Frank: Newcastle are Brentford´s biggest home test this season

Thomas Frank is certain that Newcastle United will pose his Brentford side their biggest test on home soil so far this season when they collide 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 term, but the Bees have failed to transpire that form into their away matches.

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 is expecting 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 brilliant job over the last three years,” Frank said. “First, they stayed in the league. They got into the Champions League two years ago.

“And, last year, they were in the Champions League for the first time in a long time, they got the experience of that, and still managed to get seventh – that would’ve usually got a European place, but unfortunately didn’t.

“This season, I think they are back to the high level that they were at two years ago. I don’t think they’ve been rewarded enough with the points and results. They were brilliant at home to Arsenal, and they were brilliant on Wednesday at home to 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 that we have faced at home so far this season.”

An improved second-half but it’s defeat at Villa Park. pic.twitter.com/ChBpQWSukn

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 4, 2024

While Newcastle are without a win in their last three Premier League games, their display against Arne Slot’s side will give supporters plenty of encouragement moving forward.

Their latest point moved them above Manchester United and into the top half of the table, but they are now six points behind the top four, but have a favourable run of fixtures to come.

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 display against Liverpool as a solid foundation to build on for their upcoming games.

“It was a great game. There was a lot of quality on the pitch, and we were pleased to fight back in the end, but also disappointed to lose a lead as well in the mix of it all.

“There was a feeling that when you play Liverpool you need as many goals as you can because you know their qualities, and they are never out of a game. That other goal has alluded us for much of the 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. Really pleased with that dynamic. We have to be in a position to build confidence levels.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Yoane Wissa

Wissa has scored in each of his last six Premier League home games for Brentford, netting eight goals in total.

Overall, he’s scored 18 goals at Gtech Community Stadium in the competition, just one fewer than Ivan Toney’s record of 19.

Continuing his phenomenal start to the campaign

Yoane Wissa has been nominated for November’s @premierleague ‘Player of the Month’ pic.twitter.com/04NIzk7M1m

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 5, 2024

Newcastle – Harvey Barnes

Barnes was used as a substitute during Newcastle’s draw with Liverpool in midweek, but he will be hoping to be used from the start in the capital.

He has scored seven goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances in London, while he’s netted away at Brentford in each of the last two campaigns, for Leicester in 2022-23 and the Magpies on the final day of last season.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

While Opta’s data-led 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 run in the competition.

The Magpies have also won their last five away league games against the Bees in a run stretching back to 1992. In their league history, they’ve only ever won more consecutive away games against Derby County (seven between 1951 and 1965).

Newcastle have, however, kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League away games against London sides, shipping 26 goals in the process. Indeed, they’ve conceded at least twice in eight of their last 10 games in the capital.

But Brentford will be relying on home comforts to return to winning ways. They have won more home points than any other side in the Premier League this season (19). Their 19 points is their most after seven home games of a league season since 2004-05 (21 in League One), while their 22 goals are their most after seven home games since 1971-72 (26 in the fourth tier).

They have also won their last four Premier League home games, conceding the first goal in each of the last three of these. No side in Premier League history has won four consecutive home games, having conceded the first goal in each.

But this has historically been a difficult fixture for the Bees, who are winless in all six of their Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D1 L5), the most they’ve faced an opponent without ever winning in the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 35.1%

Draw – 25%

Newcastle – 39.8%