Keith Andrews might feel relieved as Yoanne Wissa will miss facing his former team, Brentford, due to a knee injury. The match between Brentford and Newcastle United at the Gtech Community Stadium promises excitement.
Brentford, in 13th place, is just above Newcastle in the Premier League standings. Wissa’s absence removes some tension from the encounter, as he joined Newcastle from Brentford recently.
Brentford manager Andrews expressed mixed feelings about the transfer window. “Wissa is a very good player, so I am not too displeased that he is not going to be available because it’s the nature of competing against teams,” he said. He acknowledged the challenges of the transfer period but felt satisfied with how his club handled it.
Igor Thiago has been impressive for Brentford, scoring three goals in his last three home games and six overall this season. His work rate is notable, leading in high-intensity pressures across various areas of the pitch. Meanwhile, Jacob Murphy of Newcastle aims to continue his scoring streak after reaching 50 Premier League goal involvements.
Former Sunderland player Jordan Henderson now captains Brentford and looks forward to facing old rivals. Andrews praised Henderson’s impact: “He’s been brilliant; he’s clearly done a bit in the game.” Henderson was brought in for his experience and leadership after Christian Norgaard left for Arsenal.
The Opta win predictor suggests a close contest with a slight edge for Newcastle at 38.3% compared to Brentford’s 35.6%. A draw stands at 26.1%. Historically, Brentford has struggled against Newcastle, winning only once in eight Premier League encounters. However, they did secure a 4-2 victory in this fixture last season.
Newcastle’s recent away form hasn’t been strong; they haven’t won any of their last eight away matches in the league. Their shot conversion rate remains low at 4%, contributing to their current position with just 12 points from ten games under Eddie Howe.
Recent Form and Expectations
Brentford’s recent home form is solid, with five wins out of their last six non-London team matches at home. The fixture against Newcastle tends to be high-scoring, averaging over four goals per game historically. Fans can expect an engaging match given these statistics.
Andrews appreciates players who contribute positively even without much game time: “I’ve been quick to praise the players who haven’t played as many minutes as they’d have liked.” This attitude reflects his satisfaction with squad depth and readiness.
The upcoming clash between these two teams promises excitement and drama given their history and current form dynamics. Both sides aim to improve their standings in what should be an entertaining Premier League encounter.