(Football news) Manchester United delivered a crushing blow to the Magpies’ ambitions of making it to Europe on Wednesday at Old Trafford, while the Bees will be hoping to build on their dramatic victory against Bournemouth last time out.
After a hard-fought victory over Bournemouth on the South Coast last Saturday, where the Bees’ two top scorers this season made the net ripple to clinch all three points for the visitors, Brentford has only lost once in their last eight Premier League games.
After a goalless opening 85 minutes, the contest burst into life as Bryan Mbeumo scored his ninth goal of the league season, and although the Cherries bounced back swiftly courtesy of Dominic Solanke, it was Brentford who enjoyed the last laugh in added-on time, when Yoane Wissa struck from the bench.
Due to the severe struggles of newly-promoted outfits Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United at the foot of the division, the Bees’ steady tally of 39 points from 37 matches has allowed Thomas Frank’s troops to comfortably avoid a relegation dogfight on the final day, sitting 13 points ahead of the 17th-placed Hatters.
Although Brentford only have minor places to contend for on Sunday afternoon, the hosts will be keen to continue their stellar defensive displays at the Gtech Community Stadium during the battle against Newcastle, with the capital club keeping clean sheets in their last three home matches.
Having missed the first half of the 2023-24 campaign due to a suspension for breaking FA betting rules, Ivan Toney has returned to the first-team fold at the Gtech and netted four goals in 16 Premier League appearances, with the 28-year-old hoping to be part of Gareth Southgate’s England side at this summer’s European Championships.
Newcastle’s struggles away from St James’ Park continued to potentially-devastating effect on Wednesday night, when the Magpies lost ground in the race for European football next season after coming out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Wounded from their weekend defeat to rivals and title contenders Arsenal at the same venue, Erik ten Hag’s men produced an improved performance to defeat the visitors from the North-East, with Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund all getting onto the scoresheet for the Red Devils.
Heading towards a final-day trip to the capital, Eddie Howe’s side are seventh in the Premier League standings, knowing that they need to match Man United’s result this weekend to have any chance of appearing in a revamped Europa League or Conference League after failing in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season.
With Newcastle losing 11 of their 18 Premier League away games this season, only Brentford (12), Luton (13) and surprise leaders Sheffield United (15) have suffered more defeats on the road. If the top flight was determined solely by away form, the Magpies would be facing a relegation battle reminiscent of the Mike Ashley era.
Alexander Isak, a 20-goal Swede who is only behind Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (22) and the Citizens’ Erling Haaland (27) in the division’s Golden Boot race, may play his final competitive match for the North-East giants this weekend. The player has drawn interest from English powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool.
Also read: Arsenal will play Everton in the last gameweek of EPL
