Match Previews

country flag League Cup Round 1/4 Final
Brentford vs. Newcastle United
Tue 22 December 2020 17:30
Referee
R Jones
Weather at KO
weather icon Light Rain  11oC | Precip: 67% (0.25 mm) | Wind 1.4 m/s
Travel Info
1 hour plane
Distance
398 KM
Venue
No Fans

Brentford

Last updated: Tue 22 December 2020 07:13
In Brief

Brentford 13 games unbeaten. Norgaard and Pinnock now available but Dalsgaard doubtful and Jansson ruled out.

Looking Back

Brentford produced a wonderful performance to beat Reading 3-1 on Saturday, scoring all three goals before the 30 minute mark.

It was something of a surprise that Ivan Toney did not score on Saturday having found the net 16 times this season.

Brentford have been difficult to beat at home in the league with four wins, five draws and one defeat.

Looking Ahead

Seem sure to take the League Cup seriously so the best available team is likely to be picked by Thomas Frank.

That could include Christian Norgaard, who is back fit having made the bench on Saturday, and Ethan Pinnock who was suspended on Saturday.

Henrik Dalsgaard remains doubtful after he missed out on Saturday. Pontus Jansson has now been ruled out.

Manager Comments

Frank has said that this game is more important than the league but reckons Brentford are underdogs and added: "We can go out and play free and play forward and attack."

Newcastle United

Last updated: Tue 22 December 2020 09:16
In Brief

Solid league form. Rode luck in League Cup so far, despite easy fixtures. Dubravka long-term absentee. Saint-Maximin and Lascelles out with COVID. Fernandez could be rested.

Looking Back

Newcastle have met only lower league teams so far in League Cup and yet luck needed to go past 2 of 3 rounds played. In first game late goal brought 1:0 home win over Blackburn, while in last round on visit to Newport equalised right at the death only to progress via penalties after that.

In the league point flow had been steady all season and Magpies can focus fully in this Cup match as result of that. Already look to have secured mid-table comfort in Premier League.

Looking Ahead

Coach Bruce expected to rotate and after being benched at weekend Heyden, Hendrick and Lewis should start in this one. Also Gayle pushing for first start since recovering from lengthy injury.

Saint-Maximin and Lascelles confirmed to have contracted COVID and they are both unavailable. Meanwhile, third-choice keeper Gillespie had started every League Cup game so far and this could happen again now, especially with regular Dibravka sidelined since summer.

Fernandez struggled with fatigue at end of weekend game, he battled COVID back in November, so expectations are that now he won't be used.

Manager Comments

“The games are coming thick and fast, but what an opportunity we’ve got. We’ve got a wonderful opportunity to get to the semi-final of a cup, so let’s look forward to it, enjoy the challenge of it and see where we can go."

Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
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Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
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Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Newcastle United

Last updated: Tue 22 December 2020 09:16
In Brief

Solid league form. Rode luck in League Cup so far, despite easy fixtures. Dubravka long-term absentee. Saint-Maximin and Lascelles out with COVID. Fernandez could be rested.

Looking Back

Newcastle have met only lower league teams so far in League Cup and yet luck needed to go past 2 of 3 rounds played. In first game late goal brought 1:0 home win over Blackburn, while in last round on visit to Newport equalised right at the death only to progress via penalties after that.

In the league point flow had been steady all season and Magpies can focus fully in this Cup match as result of that. Already look to have secured mid-table comfort in Premier League.

Looking Ahead

Coach Bruce expected to rotate and after being benched at weekend Heyden, Hendrick and Lewis should start in this one. Also Gayle pushing for first start since recovering from lengthy injury.

Saint-Maximin and Lascelles confirmed to have contracted COVID and they are both unavailable. Meanwhile, third-choice keeper Gillespie had started every League Cup game so far and this could happen again now, especially with regular Dibravka sidelined since summer.

Fernandez struggled with fatigue at end of weekend game, he battled COVID back in November, so expectations are that now he won't be used.

Manager Comments

“The games are coming thick and fast, but what an opportunity we’ve got. We’ve got a wonderful opportunity to get to the semi-final of a cup, so let’s look forward to it, enjoy the challenge of it and see where we can go."

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round 1/4 Final
Brentford - Newcastle United 1 - 0
Arsenal - Manchester City 1 - 4
Stoke City - Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 3
Everton - Manchester United 0 - 2
Round 1/2 Final
Tottenham Hotspur - Brentford 2 - 0
Manchester United - Manchester City 0 - 2