Newcastle United are looking to end their run of three Premier League matches without a win when they host Brentford this evening (kick-off 5:30pm).
It’s a month since the Magpies last tasted victory in the league, having been held to a goalless draw at bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers before losing back-to-back against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Heading into the weekend, Eddie Howe’s side sit 11th in the table, seven points below the top five.
Injuries have played their part of late and United hope to be boosted in that respect with the return of Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley. Guimaraes has missed the last four games with an ankle issue, while Miley hasn’t featured in the previous two due to a dead leg.
Newcastle, however, are expected to be without Anthony Gordon after he went off with a hamstring complaint in Wednesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat away to Manchester City.
Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento are among the first-team players to remain sidelined.
Howe has decisions to make in all areas of the pitch, though the striker position is perhaps the most intriguing. Neither Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa have performed well of late, though this is Wissa’s first opportunity to face Brentford since leaving to join Newcastle for £55m in the summer.
Wissa missed the 3-1 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium in November due to a knee injury.
Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up against the Bees:
1. GK: Nick Pope
Set for a recall to the starting XI after watching the defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night from the bench | Getty Images
2. RB: Jacob Murphy (in for Kieran Trippier)
A position Murphy has played before. Defensively it might be a risk, but it’d give Newcastle an extra body going forward. | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB: Sven Botman
Thiaw looks like he could do with a mental and physical reset having started the last 33 matches in a row. Botman, although left-footed, is comfortable playing on the right side. | Getty Images
4. CB: Dan Burn
Howe rarely overlooks Burn when the defender is fit. | Getty Images