Brentford v Newcastle: five key battles
Brentford host Newcastle on Saturday hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat they suffered at St. James’ Park in October and earn a first win over the Magpies since 1948. Here are five match-ups we think could go a long way to determining who comes out on top.
Scott Hogan v Jamaal Lascelles
Come 2pm, we’ll know just how close – or otherwise – Hogan is to a potential move to West Ham. Bees boss Dean Smith says the 14-goal striker has recovered from the injury that kept him out of last weekend’s FA Cup tie and insists he is available for selection, so if he does not join Vibe on the teamsheet his career at Griffin Park may be at an end. Newcastle’s back four – led by skipper Lascelles and ex-Aston Villa man Clark – have conceded only 20 goals in 25 games, the third-best record in the league.
Harlee Dean v Dwight Gayle
At the other end, Bees skipper Dean will have the unenviable task of shackling the Championship’s top goalscorer. Gayle has 19 to his name this season, including two in the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park back in October. Dean has called on his Brentford team-mates to impose themselves on the game and get in Newcastle’s faces – he, John Egan and Andreas Bjelland will have to be at their sharpest to prevent ex-Palace man Gayle from notching again.
Tom Field or Yoann Barbet v Matt Ritchie
Nineteen-year-old Field scored his first two Brentford goals against Eastleigh in the FA Cup last weekend, which may see him keep his place. However, Newcastle pose a considerably greater threat than Martin Allen’s National League side, and with Bjelland set to return to the back three, Smith may prefer to go with the more experienced Barbet against Ritchie, one of the most talented wingers in the division.
Ryan Woods and Nico Yennaris v Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback
Getting control of the midfield will be crucial. Newcastle are without Jonjo Shelvey, who is serving the final game of a five-match ban, so will rely on the more workmanlike Hayden and Colback to provide a platform for their dangerous front four. Yennaris and Woods, who are likely to be joined in the middle by either Romaine Sawyers or Josh McEachran, will hope to win this particular battle and set the tempo themselves.
Maxime Colin v Paul Dummett
Colin has been increasingly influential since Brentford switched to 3-5-2, with his ability to get up and down the right flank. His opponent on Saturday, homegrown left-back Dummett, has already played as many Championship games this term as he did in the Premier League last season and is growing in stature, despite criticism from some Newcastle fans at times.
