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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 30
Brentford v Newcastle United
Gtech Community Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 8 April 2023
Kick-off is at 16h00
Newcastle will be looking to keep the momentum going when they make the long journey south to take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, April 8.
The Magpies leapfrogged Manchester United into third spot in the
Premier League standings courtesy of a 2-0 win at St James' Park last Sunday - their third victory on the spin since suffering back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Eddie Howe's side moved above United on goal difference, with both teams tied on 50 points going into the final 11 games of the season.
Second place is likely a bridge to far as they trail the Citizens by 14 points, while league leaders Arsenal have opened up an eight-point gap over their closest rivals.
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The Bees are on course to record their best finish in the top flight, although successive draws against Leicester (1-1) and Brighton (2-2) saw them lose ground in the race for UEFA Champions League football.
Thomas Frank's team find themselves seven points behind the Red Devils in seventh position and Liverpool (8th) are breathing down their necks just a point further adrift.
Ivan Toney has been key to their push for European qualification following an outstanding second season in England's top flight. After bagging 12 goals on his Premier League debut in 2021-22, the striker has already surpassed that tally this term by scoring 17 in 26 appearances to sit third in the scoring charts behind Erling Haaland (28) and Harry Kane (21).
Callum Wilson will be pushing for a recall to the starting line-up for the Toon after stepping off the bench to seal the win against United. The England international has struggled for form since returning from the World Cup but Howe is backing him to get back to his best in their run-in.
In team news, the hosts must do without Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt (both knee) and Kristoffer Ajer (calf), while Shandon Baptiste is suspended. Howe lost Joe Willock to a thigh injury against United and he joins Miguel Almiron (thigh), Emil Krafth (knee) and Ryan Fraser on the sidelines.
Frank feels the Bees' ability from set-pieces makes them dangerous to contend with after two of their three goals against the Seagulls came from dead-ball situations.
"Big credit to the players for executing the plan very well, and big credit to everyone in the backroom staff who does a top job," he said.
"We're such a threat. Everyone knows when we come into a game that we can score from set-pieces and that's a fantastic feeling to have."
Howe believes that maintaining a level of consistency has been a crucial component to their rise this season and he hopes his players have learned from their experiences.
"I think it's important for me that we haven't changed our approach too much, depending on where we're playing and who we're playing against because I think then you risk losing your identity for certain games,"
"So we've tried to be very consistent. We've tried to show the best of ourselves in those games. We've had mixed success, I'd say against the top opponents this year - some good results, some bad results.
"But hopefully this is the big thing. Hopefully we're improving for each experience we have."
Head-to-Head (Previous Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 3
Brentford - 0
Newcastle - 2
Draws - 1
Matchday 30 fixtures:
Saturday, April 8
13h30: Manchester United v Everton
16h00: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
16h00: Brentford v Newcastle United
16h00: Fulham v West Ham United
16h00: Leicester City v Bournemouth
16h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
18h30: Southampton v Manchester City
Sunday, April 9
15h00: Leeds United v Crystal Palace
17h30: Liverpool v Arsenal
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