Newcastle vs Brentford – Carabao Cup: Preview, predictions and lineup

Newcastle United face Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, with both teams bidding for their first ever EFL Cup title.

The Magpies came close to lifting the trophy in the 2022/23 season when they reached the final, but defeat to Manchester United in the big event meant Newcastle’s long wait for a major trophy continued.

Brentford have never reached the final of the competition but reached the semi-finals in 2020/21 before tasting defeat to fellow London club Tottenham. The Bees have never won a major cup competition before.

While Brentford have had a tough time on their travels this season, they did beat Newcastle at home at the start of the month. Their 4-2 win will give them confidence at a raucous St James’ Park on Wednesday.

here 90 minutes Guide to Newcastle vs Brentford.

Newcastle vs Brentford H2H record (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Nick Pope missed the win over Leicester City at the weekend after suffering a knee injury that will keep him out until mid-January. Martin Dubravka will replace the Englishman for next month.

Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth remain sidelined from the defense due to long-term problems, but Sven Botman is closing in on a return to first-team football. He featured for Newcastle’s under-21s on Monday and could be back with the first team at the end of December.

Callum Wilson’s injury problems continue and the striker is unavailable for the next two months due to a new hamstring injury suffered a week ago. Joelinton has been suspended for the weekend’s clash with Ipswich Town after picking up five yellow cards in the Premier League but is available against Brentford.

Newcastle expected lineup against Brentford (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Char, Byrne, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Joelinton; Murphy, Isaac, Gordon.

Brentford remain without a number of long-term absentees, including Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and Joshua DaSilva. Summer signing Gustavo Nunes is also still missing, with his recovery from a back injury taking longer than expected.

Mattias Jensen will be a big miss for Brentford in the engine room. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in late November and is unlikely to return until the new year.

Thomas Frank is unlikely to make sweeping changes from the side that battled hard at Stamford Bridge On Sunday, he lost 2-1.

Brentford expected lineup against Newcastle (5-3-2): stain; Roerslev, van den Bergh, Pinnock, Collins, Lewis Potter; ganlet, norgaard, damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wesa.

Newcastle have a generally impressive recent record against Brentford despite the defeat in early December and they will be relying on a motley St James’ Park crowd to help them overcome the tough Bees on Wednesday.

It has been difficult to score goals for Newcastle this season, but they have scored nine goals in their last three games, with Alexander Isak showing some much-needed form in front of goal. Brentford have kept just one clean sheet in 16 league games this season and will find it difficult to stifle Newcastle.

Brentford have plenty of attacking threats and will be confident of causing Newcastle their own problems. However, they have the worst away record at home Premier League This term and may fail to get the job done down the road again.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brentford

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