Newcastle United host Brentford at St James' Park for the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
After a four-match winless streak, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe secured a vital 4-0 win over Leicester City, easing some of the pressure on him. The Magpies were dominant, registering 27 shots and an xG of 3.8 against a struggling Leicester. Despite the victory, they remain in the bottom half of the table, with the 4-2 defeat to Brentford contributing to their decline.
However, Newcastle have been solid in the EFL Cup, beating in-form Premier League sides like Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. They also overcame AFC Wimbledon 1-0 in a delayed round, though Howe was critical of his team's performance. Last season, Howe led the club to the EFL Cup final, where they were knocked out by Chelsea on penalties. Newcastle haven't won a domestic trophy in 70 years, but they remain determined.
Brentford, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever Premier League start despite a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Sunday. They’re just five points off the top four and are eyeing their first-ever major trophy. Their best EFL Cup run was a semi-final appearance in 2020-21, where they were eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur. Last season, they were knocked out at the quarter-finals by Chelsea.
Brentford reached this stage with wins over Colchester United, Leyton Orient, and Sheffield Wednesday, the latter needing penalties. However, their away form has been concerning, as they’re yet to win a league match away from home this season, with only a draw at struggling Everton to show for their efforts.
Prediction:Newcastle United 2-0 Brentford
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