Eddie Howe is relishing the "big week" coming up for his Newcastle United players as they aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League this Saturday. 

Newcastle are winless in their last four games in all competitions, the latest of which saw them beat 3-1 in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

That sealed a 5-1 aggregate win for Pep Guardiola's side, but the Magpies now return to domestic action where they welcome high-flying Brentford to St. James' Park. 

Howe's side are 11th in the Premier League and eight points adrift of the Champions League places, with their next top-flight clash seeing them make the trip to Tottenham. 

And the Newcastle boss acknowledged the importance of his team's upcoming fixtures, telling reporters: "It's a big week coming up. The focus is back on the Premier League.

"We need real focus on these next two games. Two really good games, games we will look forward to but being back at home after several games is more than welcome."

And though the Magpies have conceded 10 goals during their winless stretch, Howe believes that each defeat will help the team move forward. 

"I think, naturally, you could lose focus on the games that we've had," Howe added.

"Paris, Liverpool and Man City for any team away from home in a really short period of time, for any team, that will be difficult.

"Watching those games, the scorelines look pretty bad, but I think the games were very different, all could have been different."

Brentford, meanwhile, produced one of the results of MD23 by beating title hopefuls Aston Villa 1-0, despite seeing Kevin Schade sent off in the first half. 

It was Brentford's first Premier League away victory against a team starting the day in the top four since beating Manchester City in November 2022.

But they were made to do it the hard way, with Schade, on his 100th appearance in all competitions for the Bees, dismissed for a stamp on Matty Cash in the 42nd minute. 

Brentford boss Keith Andrews lauded his team for their fighting spirit, while also explaining that Schade would have to repay his team-mate for his actions. 

"The red card did change the flow of the game, it never will change the resolve of the team because it is a collective in everything we do," Andrews said.

"Thiago being an example of how much you have to dig in. I didn't see it, but I have watched it back and I have no complaints from that.

"Kev needs to learn from that and he really tested his teammates and he will have to take them out for a nice dinner.

"There is a solidity, there is a grit about this team, personality and growth week-to-week and month-to-month. I like watching us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle – Harvey Barnes

With Howe confirming that Anthony Gordon is a doubt for this weekend's match after sustaining a hamstring injury in midweek, Harvey Barnes looks set to play an important role against Brentford. 

He has the joint-most goal involvements for Newcastle across all competitions this season (14, level with Gordon), while during his Premier League career, he has scored four times against the Bees. Only against West Ham, Aston Villa (both six) and Leeds United (seven) has he netted more against in the top flight. 

Brentford – Dango Ouattara

Dango Ouattara netted his 13th Premier League goal in Brentford's 1-0 win over Villa, and he is looking to score in consecutive games for the first time.

His next appearance will be his 100th in the competition, with Burkina Faso becoming the 85th different country to see a player reach treble figures in games.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE WIN

Newcastle have won nine of their last 10 home games against Brentford in all competitions (D1) since losing their first ever meeting in September 1934.

Howe's side have, however, lost their last two Premier League games, their fifth different run of consecutive defeats in the last two seasons. The Magpies have not lost more on the bounce since between December and January in the 2023-24 season (four).

But London teams have only won four of their 29 Premier League visits to Newcastle since Howe took charge of the Magpies (D5 L20). Since his first game – a home match against Brentford – Newcastle have won more home Premier League games against London sides than anyone else (20).

Brentford, though, are looking to complete their second ever league double over Newcastle, having previously doing so in the 1934-35 second tier campaign.

The Bees have also won two of their last three league games against Newcastle (L1), having failed to win any of their previous 10 (D1 L9).

And you can expect plenty of goalmouth action in this fixture. There have been an average of 4.1 goals per game in Premier League meetings between Brentford and Newcastle (37 goals in nine games), the highest ratio of any fixture to have been played as many times.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle – 48.7%

Draw – 25.7%

Brentford – 25.6%