Newcastle v Brentford: five key battles

Brentford meet Newcastle on Saturday for the first time since a League Cup tie in September 2001. Here are five potential battles we think might be all-important at St. James’ Park.

John Egan v Dwight Gayle

Brentford’s summer capture began his career at Newcastle’s local rivals Sunderland, but never made a first-team appearance. He has played every minute for the Bees so far this season but will have his hands full against Gayle, who has scored seven goals in nine league games.

Scott Hogan v Jamaal Lascelles

Hogan can match Gayle’s tally, albeit in 11 games, and will represent Brentford’s primary threat to a Newcastle defence that is prone to the odd lapse. Lascelles has been made Newcastle captain and is one of only three players to have featured in every league game so far, with Rafael Benitez keen to rotate.

Ryan Woods v Jonjo Shelvey

Woods and Shelvey will arguably be the two best passers of the ball on the pitch, both playing the ‘quarterback’ role and setting the forward players away. Bees man Woods was an unused substitute against Wigan, having been suspended for the 4-1 win over Reading, but is expected to return to the line-up.

Andreas Bjelland v Matt Ritchie

With Callum Elder ruled out with knee ligament damage, and summer signing Rico Henry still recovering from explorative surgery on a dislocated shoulder, Bjelland will continue to cover at left-back. Along with Gayle, Ritchie has been Newcastle’s most impressive attacking player this season.

Dean Smith v RafaelBenitez

This time last year, Benitez and Smith were in wildly different jobs – at Real Madrid and Walsall respectively. Now they meet on equal terms with just four points separating the two sides. Smith was recently linked with the Aston Villa job – he could further enhance his reputation by outsmarting ex-Chelsea boss Benitez.