Brentford ran riot when these sides last met back in November, with Igor Thiago bagging a brace as his side cruised to a deserved 3-1 win. The Bees registered 15 shots and four big chances worth 2.35xG, and were able to carve out quality chances consistently.

Last season, these sides met three times - twice in the Premier League, and once more in the EFL Cup. There were a total of 13 goals in those games, with over 2.5 goals landing in all three. That includes a 2-1 scoreline when they last met on Tyneside.

Newcastle tend to take things up a gear when playing on home turf, with over 2.5 goals landing in eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions at St James’ Park. In the three that fell short, there were still exactly two goals, pointing towards a consistently open game state rather than cagey affairs.

Only eight corners were recorded in the reverse fixture, with Newcastle accounting for just two of those, but the gamestate played a big role. Newcastle ended that match with ten men, and they have played with a lot less attacking intent on their travels this season.

It’s a different story at St James’ Park, where Newcastle are averaging 6.6 corners per game this season while also conceding 5.4, producing an average of 12.0 corners per game. Those figures rise even further in the Premier League, where games are averaging 13.1 corners per game on Tyneside, with Newcastle themselves accounting for 7.2 corners.

Chances are regularly available at both ends of the field, which naturally brings corners into play. This line has landed in seven consecutive Premier League home matches for Newcastle. Brentford are not as enterprising overall, but even so, this selection has still landed in each of their last three league outings.

After forcing through a move over the summer, Yoane Wissa will face former club, Brentford, for the first time this weekend. He is unlikely to get the warmest reception from the travelling support, although their voices may be muted with the away end positioned so high up in the stadium.

Even so, this is a fixture Wissa should be particularly motivated for, and he will hope to make an impression against a side he knows well.

He has scored three goals in 17 appearances for his new club, numbers that perhaps undersell his overall performances, especially on home turf. Wissa has looked more comfortable at St James’ Park, where he has landed this selection in all six of his starts this season.

Newcastle’s more attack-minded approach in front of a home crowd often sees Wissa involved early, with his movement allowing him to get on the end of high-quality chances.

Dango Ouattara made his first start for Brentford last weekend since returning from AFCON, and he scored the only goal against Aston Villa in a narrow 1-0 win.

He didn’t commit a foul in that game, but Brentford sat very deep after Kevin Schade was sent off. The Bees had to be a lot more careful with their challenges, and they committed just nine fouls as a team.

Ouattara was also withdrawn after 60 minutes, limiting his involvement during a period where Brentford were largely without the ball. With Schade now suspended, Ouattara should be given a much bigger role on the flank.

In the reverse fixture against Newcastle, he committed two fouls and was carded, highlighting how his defensive duties can increase in more open contests. He is averaging 1.3 fouls per 90 this season and draws an excellent matchup against Lewis Hall on the flank.

Sandro Tonali has been another player who has shouldered more responsibility since the Brazilian duo have been absent. Without Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali has seen an uptick in shots, registering seven attempts across his last four appearances.

Only two of those efforts hit the target, but the Magpies have had tough matchups against the likes of Man City, Liverpool, PSG, and Aston Villa.

The Italian international had one shot against Man City midweek, which forced a save from James Trafford, while he also landed this selection in his last home outing against Aston Villa.

In an easier matchup against Brentford this weekend, Newcastle should be able to commit more bodies forward, which should allow Tonali to pick up better positions higher up the pitch. On home turf, he is averaging 1.4 shots per 90 across all competitions, often looking to arrive late in the box or try his luck from distance.

With Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes still out with injuries, Jacob Ramsey has established himself as a key figure in midfield in recent weeks and looks set to start once again this weekend.

He played the full 90 in midfield midweek against Man City, highlighting how Eddie Howe trusts him against elite opponents. Ramsey was fouled once in that game, but landed this selection last weekend with two fouls drawn against Liverpool at Anfield. He also accounted for three of Newcastle’s eight fouls drawn against PSG in the Champions League.

Even in tougher matchups, Ramsey remains confident to get on the ball, often driving into space and inviting contact rather than recycling possession early. He is averaging 1.8 fouls drawn per 90 across all competitions this season, and has landed this selection in six of his last eight starts overall, which makes this price stand out.

Matheus Nunes picked up the first yellow card of the game for Man City against Newcastle last time out. The Portuguese international was put through his paces by Lewis Hall, and Michael Kayode will occupy a similar position on the right this weekend.

The Italian international has picked up seven yellow cards from 29 appearances this season, despite averaging just 0.68 fouls per 90 across all competitions. A large proportion of those infringements have been cynical, often stopping transitions. Against a side like Newcastle, who like to play quite vertically and attack space behind, it looks like an ideal matchup to target Kayode again.

He was shown a yellow card in the reverse fixture for a late foul, and he is most likely to be up against Harvey Barnes, who often looks to beat his marker and run into space behind.