As we edge closer to kick-off tonight, it's time to predict which sides both Eddie Howe and Thomas Frank will select as Newcastle and Brentford prepare to do battle tonight.
We arrive with momentum after a Carabao Cup final win and 1-0 victory over West Ham in our last league game over three weeks ago, while Brentford have been in brilliant form on the road with five straight away wins since the turn of the year.
Here's how we're expecting both teams to line up come 7.45pm tonight:
Predicted 11s
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Flekken - Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter - Janelt, Norgaard - Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade - Wissa.
This could be Eddie Howe's easiest team selection of the season based on injuries, suspensions and our performance at Wembley two Sunday's ago.
Nick Pope impressed in the final to remind many why he’s Howe’s number one, while Sven Botman and Lewis Hall remain out injured after surgery, meaning Tino Livramento will continue at left-back. After doing superbly in our last two to stop Mo Salah and Jarrod Bowen, he'll now be tasked with keeping Toon target Bryan Mbeumo quiet.
Our midfield three of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali look pretty nailed on to continue as long as they stay fit and Harvey Barnes will continue down the left with Anthony Gordon suspended.
For Brentford, this is the 11 Frank has selected in three of their last four games, serving him well in their most recent win away to Bournemouth the day before our cup final victory.
Mbeumo is one to watch in attack and has been scouted by Newcastle's recruitment team along with Nathan Collins; the towering centre-back we exclusively revealed our interest in last month.
