After a car crash start on Wednesday ended all hope of an unlikely semi-final comeback at Man City, Newcastle's are back in Premier League action this weekend with what feels like one of our biggest games of the season so far.
With just one win in seven quickly spoiling what had been a strong start to 2026, we must lift the mood on Tyneside and get ourselves back up the table, with us currently 11th and in danger of being cut adrift from those European spots ahead of a tricky run of away games to come.
Brentford are this season's overachievers after a brutal summer saw them lose Frank, Mbeumo, Wissa and Norgaard. They are 7th, won at Aston Villa with 10 men in their last away game and would go six points clear of Newcastle with a win.
With four away games on the spin after Saturday night's game and sections of the fanbase asking serious questions of the manager and several underperforming players, this feels like a must-win game to steady the ship at such a pivotal stage of our season.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Howe had this to say ahead of the game.
"It's a big week coming up. We need real focus on these next two games - Brentford at home and Tottenham away, two good games.
"Being back at home after several away games is more than welcome, so it will be a nice feeling for us on Saturday."
"Losing is such a difficult feeling. You have to deal with the defeat, put it where you need to put it and learn from it. We're trying to do that in a quick turnaround while acknowledging the strengths of our performances and also the areas we need to improve.
"The main thing is the players entering the next game in a positive frame of mind. That's so important, so how we deal with each defeat we've had in the last week has been crucial to our success going forward."
Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) trained on Wednesday and should return, Lewis Miley will be assessed after an uncertain update from Howe on Friday, but Anthony Gordon (hamstring) looks set to miss out, although he is expected back soon.
Joelinton looks set to miss out again, joining Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth on the sidelines.
For Brentford, Keith Andrews will be out left winger Kevin Schade, who is now serving a three-match ban after his straight red card in last Sunday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa.
(4-3-3): Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Burn, Hall - Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey - Elanga, Wissa, Barnes.
IN: Pope, Miley, Bruno, Elanga, Barnes, Wissa.
Prior to our 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in our last home game, Newcastle had won eight and drawn two of their last 10 league games at St James' Park, with the only dropped points coming in 2-2 draws with Chelsea and Spurs.
Heavy defeats to Liverpool (4-1) and Man City (3-1) over the last week may have dented confidence and belief in the side, but I think we'll bounce back with an imperative three points.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brentford
Howay the lads!
