Newcastle United desperately need to get back to winning ways against Brentford this weekend.
Eddie Howe‘s side are on the back of three consecutive defeats, and everyone associated with Newcastle has had the international break to stew on the disappointing start to the season.
The fixture list has been very unkind to the Magpies, but now we have a much more favourable run in the Premier League – starting on Saturday against Brentford.
It will still be a tough game, as Thomas Frank’s team are no mugs, but Newcastle fans will go into the game believing that their side can end their barren run and put another three points on the board.
Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson agrees, and has backed Howe’s side to pick up their second victory of the season at Brentford’s expense.
Merson predicts Newcastle to win 3-1 vs Brentford
Merson has predicted the scores of every Premier League game this weekend for Sportskeeda. He has backed Newcastle to beat Brentford 3-1, and has explained why.
“This game has suddenly become a must-win for Newcastle United if they want to better or match what they achieved last season – look how quickly things can change in football,” he wrote.
“If they fail to win this one, securing a place in the top four could become an issue as they’d have gathered just three or four points from five games, which is a measly return for a club with lofty ambitions.
“Brentford are a threat and have a lot of quality up front, but the Magpies are a tough nut to crack at home and should win this one.”
That would be almost perfect for Newcastle on Saturday
It might sound dramatic, but Merson is right in calling this a must-win for Newcastle.
A victory against the Bees could set the tone for a busy few weeks for the club, as they begin their Champions League quest on Tuesday night away to AC Milan. After that it is another winnable Premier League game against Sheffield United, followed by a Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City.
The games are now coming thick and fast, and this is when Howe’s squad will be tested. Sure, the league fixtures are kinder but there are no guarantees in the top flight of English football. Brentford will provide a stern test, and will not arrive on Tyneside expecting to lose.
But a 3-1 win would be almost perfect for Newcastle. The only thing that would make it better is a clean sheet, as the Magpies have struggled to shut out their opponents in 2023.
However, the main thing is a victory, and Merson thinks that is exactly what Newcastle will get.
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