Newcastle vs Brentford Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English League Cup | Quarter-Final
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Brentford beat Newcastle 4-2 in the Premier League less than two weeks ago, but they have struggled to produce such performances on their travels.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 18th December, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – Paramount+
How to watch online: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – Paramount+
Newcastle Preview: Much improved on the weekend
Newcastle come into this contest off the back of a confidence-boosting 4-0 victory over Leicester in the Premier League, which snapped a four-game winless run for Eddie Howe's men which saw them drift outside of the top ten in the table.
Carabao Cup runners-up in 2022-23, Newcastle, who have never won this trophy, have seen off Nottingham Forest, AFC Wimbledon and Chelsea on their way to the semi-finals.
Brentford Preview: Away struggles continue
Ahead of this quarter-final, Brentford fell to a 2-1 defeat to title challengers Chelsea in the Premier League, continuing their woeful away record in 2024-25 of one win, one draw and seven defeats.
That solitary away victory came in their Carabao Cup opener against Colchester in August, and they followed that with a pair of home wins over Leyton Orient and Sheffield Wednesday, the latter whom they beat on penalties.
Newcastle Team News: Longstaff suspended
Sean Longstaff is suspended for this tie having picked up two yellow cards in the competition this season, so Eddie Howe may instead choose to bring Joe Willock into midfield to freshen things up.
One or two the changes could be on the cards with Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes two who could be given starts.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Barnes, Isak, Gordon
Unavailable: Pope (Injured), Botman (Fitness), Lascelles (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Longstaff (Suspended), Wilson (Injured)
Questionable:
Brentford Team News: No new issues
There are no fresh injury concerns after the Chelsea defeat with Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen and Gustavo Nunes out, while Igor Thiago has trained and could be involved.
Kevin Schade could be recalled in attack, while Kristoffer Ajer is edging towards a first start since October.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Van den Berg, Pinnock, Collins; Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Lewis-Potter; Mbeumo, Schade; Wissa
Unavailable: Hickey (Injured), Henry (Fitness), Dasilva (Injured), Jensen (Injured), Nunes (Injured)
Questionable: Igor Thiago (Injured)
Newcastle vs Brentford Prediction
It's an interesting quirk that these two sides should meet in the quarter-finals when they are tied on both points and goal difference in the Premier League table, and less than two weeks after they shared a six-goal thriller.
It was Brentford who came out on top on that occasion, but that was at the Gtech where they have excelled this season. The same cannot be said for their away form, and while they do tend to score regardless (they have found the net in 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions), the preference is for the hosts here.
Newcastle vs Brentford Tip: Newcastle to win & both teams to score
