Newcastle v Brentford: match preview

The first day of Eddie Howe’s managerial tenure sees Newcastle seeking their first win of the season at Brentford’s expense in front of a 52,000 sell out crowd at St James’ Park. Although the visitors have stumbled of late, they do possess Ivan Toney, a striker with a point to prove to the club that released him after deciding Toney was “not good enough”. Shortly afterwards Joelinton arrived on Tyneside for £40m and it will be intriguing to see if Howe can unlock the Brazilian’s talent. More immediately he must find a way to extract maximum points from impending home games against not merely Brentford but Norwich and Burnley. Louise Taylor

Saturday 3pm

Venue St James’ Park

Last season n/a

Referee Robert Jones

This season G3 Y10 R0 3.33 cards/game

Odds H 32-19 A 24-13 D 27-11

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Darlow, Fernández, Krafth, Schar, Manquillo, Lewis, Longstaff, Almirón, Willock, Gayle

Doubtful None

Injured Dummett (calf, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y31 R1

Form DLLDLD

Leading scorer Wilson 4

BRENTFORD

Subs from Cox, Sheppard, Goode, Forss, Thompson, Ghoddos, Valencia, Jeanvier, Onyeka, Fosu, Peart-Harris, Baptiste, Bidstrup, Roerslev, Zamburek, Racic

Doubtful Wissa (ankle), Jørgensen (knock), Baptiste (shoulder)

Injured Sørensen (knee, Dec), Ajer (hamstring, Jan), Raya (knee, Apr), Dasilva (hip, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y19 R1

Form DWLLLL

Leading scorers Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa 2