Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaks ahead of Sunday’s match.
Newcastle United kick off in their final match before the final (November) international break.
Facing Brentford at the GTech Community Stadium in the 2pm kick-off.
Newcastle United’s players know how huge this would be if they could achieve a first Premier League win of the season.
Eddie Howe and Newcastle United are now twelve weeks into the season.
Chris Suton talk to BBC Sport – November 6, 2025:
“I didn’t recognize Newcastle when I saw them lose at West Ham last weekend.
“They were better when they beat Athletic Club at St James’ Park in the Champions League in midweek, but their away form – or lack thereof – must be a concern for boss Eddie Howe.
“They’re still solid defensively most of the time, but scoring goals seems to be a particular problem for them when they’re on the road. I can see why when I watch that West Ham game, because they just didn’t help the goalkeeper enough.”
“The way Brentford play under Keith Andrews is that he is happy to let them play on the counter-attack even when they are at home, and I can see Newcastle struggling to break them down too.
“I know I’ve already drawn a few times this week, but this match smells like a new one to me.
“Prediction: Brentford 0 Newcastle 0”
My thoughts
So is the BBC Sport expert here on money?
I think Chris Sutton has given a pretty good overview of this next match and the various issues surrounding it.
The game against West Ham was just bizarre, almost every NUFC player who came onto the pitch was confused, even though Murphy gave Newcastle that fourth minute lead.
Eddie Howe and his team recovered and recorded five home victories in a row with the 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao. It was a decent performance against tough opponents, although it still didn’t quite click.
After losing to the Hammers and unfortunately with the late goal at Brighton in the last two away games in the Premier League, it might not be a surprise if we saw Eddie Howe attempt to return to the defensive solidity that helped produce a trio of clean sheets (and goalless draws) in the first three PL away games of the season at Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth.
It’s not a matter of aiming for a goalless draw, but perhaps rather than wanting to play a more open game, Eddie Howe may prefer to try to keep a clean sheet and then find a goal at the other end, a huge bonus.
Brentford have a very good home record this season, beating Villa in both the Premier League and the League Cup. Also home wins over Liverpool and Man U, with the Bees scoring three goals in each of those two games.
With Brentford’s only home defeat, Man City took the lead in the ninth minute through Haaland and then fell completely silent, barely creating a decent chance, but limiting Brentford to more or less the same. Frankly, Eddie Howe would love it if United can match what Pep Guardiola’s side did at the Gtech Community Stadium in early October with that 1-0 away win.
#BBC #Sport #expert #money #Newcastle #United