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6 months ago
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Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaking ahead of this afternoon’s match in West London.
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to finish top seven as a minimum if winning at Brentford.
Whilst if Newcastle win and Bournemouth do the same at Chelsea, then NUFC will end up top six.
Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 17 May 2024:
“Brentford’s form has picked up recently and they will want to end the season on a high note, at home on the final day.
“Their manager Thomas Frank has been linked with the Manchester United job, and I understand that in a way, because he’s done an excellent job with the Bees.
“Newcastle United need to at least match Manchester United’s result against Brighton to make sure of finishing seventh. I’m expecting Eddie Howe’s side to do that, but it won’t be easy.
“Predicted scoreline: Brentford 2 Newcastle 2”
As well as Newcastle United to draw 2-2 at Brentford, the BBC Sport pundit is predicting Man U to lose 2-1 at Brighton, but Chelsea to win 3-1 at home against Bournemouth.
Those results would of course see United end up in seventh, below Chelsea but above Man U. Which I guess is what probably most neutrals would guess will be the outcome to end the season.
All we can do of course is concentrate on our match, players and fans, do everything we can to make sure Newcastle beat Brentford and rely on Eddie Howe’s old club to do us a big favour at Stamford Bridge.
Chris Sutton says that Brentford’s form has picked up but the fact remains that they have only won three of their last 14 Premier League matches. They were against doomed relegation sides Luton and Sheffield United, then last weekend at Bournemouth. A poor end of season match had looked sure to end goalless, before three goals went in from the 86th minute onwards, with Brentford scoring two of the three.
The two games before last weekend’s win saw Brentford lose 1-0 at Everton and draw 0-0 at home to Fulham, so it is all relative when the BBC Sport man is claiming they are finishing the season with better form.
As for their home record, since 4 November 2023, some six and a half months ago, Brentford have only won at home against Forest, Sheffield United and Luton. They are three of only four clubs below them in the table.
Much is made of Newcastle United’s poor away record but they have won seven of their last 12 away from home in all competitions, including four of their last eight in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe watched on from his hotel room as Newcastle drew 3-3 at home with Brentford in his first ever NUFC match, the Head Coach having tested positive for Covid. Since then, Newcastle have won all four clashes home and away, scoring ten goals and conceding only two.
If Newcastle United create as many chances as they did on Wednesday night and finish a more reasonable proportion of them, then they should win for sure, just so long as course if they defend a bit better than they against Man U.

 
