Newcastle United face Brentford at St. James' Park this Saturday in a Premier League match that carries major weight for both clubs. Eddie Howe’s team are winless in four matches across all competitions and sit 11th, eight points off the Champions League spots, while Brentford arrive buoyed by a statement win over Aston Villa.
Howe’s side return home after a demanding spell, with Brentford visiting before a trip to Tottenham in their next league fixture. Newcastle have strong statistics against London opposition on Tyneside, yet come into this clash following back-to-back Premier League defeats and a demanding EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Newcastle’s recent run includes a 3-1 loss to Manchester City in the second leg of their EFL
Cup semi-final, confirming a 5-1 aggregate defeat. That setback extended a four-match winless streak in all competitions and increased scrutiny on a defence that has conceded 10 goals during that period, despite generally solid home form under Howe.
Howe remains convinced that this stretch can sharpen his players rather than damage them, pointing to the demanding schedule. "I think, naturally, you could lose focus on the games that we've had, Howe added. Paris, Liverpool and Man City for any team away from home in a really short period of time, for any team, that will be difficult. Watching those games, the scorelines look pretty bad, but I think the games were very different, all could have been different. "
The Newcastle head coach stressed how much this period matters for the season’s direction and welcomed a return to familiar surroundings. "It's a big week coming up. The focus is back on the Premier League. We need real focus on these next two games.Two really good games, games we will look forward to but being back at home after several games is more than welcome. "
Anthony Gordon is a doubt after a midweek hamstring problem, so Harvey Barnes is expected to carry more attacking responsibility against Brentford. Barnes shares top spot for Newcastle goal involvements in all competitions this season with 14, level with Gordon. In Premier League action, Barnes has scored four times against Brentford, with only West Ham, Aston Villa and Leeds United troubling him more.
Newcastle vs Brentford Brentford outlook and discipline
Brentford travel north following a 1-0 victory over title chasers Aston Villa on MD23, achieved despite Kevin Schade being dismissed late in the first half. That result marked Brentford’s first Premier League away win over a side starting the day inside the top four since a success at Manchester City in November 2022, underlining their threat on the counter.
Schade’s red card, given for a stamp on Matty Cash in the 42nd minute during Schade’s 100th appearance for Brentford in all competitions, forced Keith Andrews’ team to play with ten players for more than a half. Andrews highlighted the response and also made clear that Schade must make amends within the group for the dismissal.
"The red card did change the flow of the game, it never will change the resolve of the team because it is a collective in everything we do," Andrews said. "Thiago being an example of how much you have to dig in. I didn't see it, but I have watched it back and I have no complaints from that. Kev needs to learn from that and he really tested his teammates and he will have to take them out for a nice dinner. There is a solidity, there is a grit about this team, personality and growth week-to-week and month-to-month. I like watching us. "
Brentford also have a potential milestone for Dango Ouattara, who scored the winner against Villa, his 13th Premier League goal. Ouattara is aiming to score in consecutive league matches for the first time, and the next appearance will be the 100th in the competition, which would make Burkina Faso the 85th nation to have a player reach 100 Premier League games.
Newcastle vs Brentford statistics and match prediction
Brentford are chasing a second league double over Newcastle, having previously achieved that during the 1934-35 second-tier campaign. The Bees have taken two wins from the last three league meetings with Newcastle, losing the other, after failing to win any of the previous 10 encounters, which brought one draw and nine defeats.
Newcastle, however, have dominated Brentford at St. James’ Park, winning nine of the last 10 home meetings in all competitions, drawing the other. Since Howe took over, London teams have found visits to Newcastle difficult, winning only four of 29 Premier League matches there, with five draws and 20 defeats.
Howe’s first match in charge of Newcastle was a home league game against Brentford, and since that appointment Newcastle have won more home Premier League matches against London opposition than any other club, with 20 victories. Newcastle have nonetheless lost their last two league fixtures, their fifth separate run of consecutive Premier League defeats in the last two seasons.
The Magpies have not suffered a longer losing streak in the competition since a four-match run between December and January in the 2023-24 campaign. Neutral observers may expect goals at St. James’ Park, as Newcastle’s Premier League clashes with Brentford have averaged 4.1 goals per game, with 37 goals scored across nine meetings, the highest ratio for any fixture played that often.
The tactical battle and current form shape the statistical outlook. OPTA’s model gives Newcastle the edge, yet Brentford’s resilience, recent record against Newcastle and strong away display at Villa underline that the visitors cannot be dismissed lightly despite Newcastle’s historically dominant home numbers.
| Outcome | OPTA win probability |
|---|---|
| Newcastle win | 48.7% |
| Draw | 25.7% |
| Brentford win | 25.6% |
The build-up has also focused on Howe’s media appearance before Brentford’s visit, with the manager reiterating the need for focus and a response after demanding away fixtures against Paris, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Eddie Howe speaks to the media ahead of tomorrow's visit of Brentford to St. James' Park You can watch today's press conference on the Official Newcastle United Apppic.twitter.com/ZPq3ri9CtINewcastle United (@NUFC) February 6, 2026
This fixture brings together a Newcastle side needing to halt a slide and a Brentford team encouraged by a disciplined win at Villa, with individual milestones for Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade’s response also under scrutiny, while OPTA’s probabilities and the high historical goals average suggest a contest with major implications for both seasons.
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