Newcastle United welcome Brentford to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening in a Premier League matchup that carries major European implications for both clubs.
The hosts enter the contest fresh from ending a decades-long trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup in dramatic fashion just before the March international break. With that piece of silverware now secured, the focus shifts back to the league, where Newcastle remain firmly in the hunt for a Champions League berth. Currently just two points off fourth place, the Magpies know that even fifth could offer a ticket to Europe’s elite competition next season.
Brentford, meanwhile, are quietly keeping their own European hopes alive. The Bees have enjoyed a resurgence in form, collecting ten points from their last four fixtures. Their latest outing saw them overturn a deficit to beat Bournemouth 2-1, showcasing the fighting spirit that’s become a hallmark of their campaign.
Match Info:
- Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
- Date: Wednesday, April 2
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Craig Pawson
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings):
- Newcastle: 4 wins
- Brentford: 1 win
- Draws: 0
- Last Meeting: Newcastle 3-1 Brentford (Carabao Cup, Dec 2024)
Recent Form:
Newcastle (last 5, all competitions):
- Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle
- West Ham 0-1 Newcastle
- Newcastle 1-2 Brighton
- Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
- Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Brentford (last 5, all competitions):
- Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
- Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa
- Brentford 1-1 Everton
- Leicester 0-4 Brentford
- West Ham 0-1 Brentford
Where to Watch:
- UK: BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra (audio)
- US: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
Team News:
Newcastle:
The Magpies remain without winger Anthony Gordon, who is serving the final match of his suspension while also recovering from injury. Defensive absences continue to pile up, with Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, and Jamaal Lascelles all sidelined. Despite the setbacks, Alexander Isak remains a potent threat up front, supported by a creative midfield anchored by Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Brentford:
The visitors have received a boost with the return of several long-term absentees. Gustavo Nunes, Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry have rejoined full training and could feature. Mikkel Damsgaard remains a doubt due to illness, while loanee Michael Kayode is in contention after a rest period. However, Igor Thiago, Joshua Dasilva, and Fabio Carvalho are still unavailable.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade
Match Prediction:
This fixture has consistently produced goals, with 16 netted across the last three meetings between these sides. Brentford claimed a win earlier this season in the league, but Newcastle struck back in the Carabao Cup. With both teams in strong form and pushing for European spots, a tightly contested, high-energy encounter is likely.
Newcastle will be buoyed by their home support and recent cup triumph, but Brentford’s impressive away run, five consecutive wins, can’t be overlooked. Expect a high-scoring draw as both clubs battle for position.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Brentford
