Chris Waugh, The Athletic: Newcastle stretched by unrelenting schedule

The Athletic's Chris Waugh explains why Newcastle United's game against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports) at St James' Park is "a relief" for the Magpies.

It is the only home game in eight matches in all competitions for Eddie Howe's side, in a run which has, so far, seen them face the likes of Aston Villa, PSG, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Newcastle have also only won two of their 12 away games, so being back in the north east will be a welcome return for them.

It has been just under three months since the previous meeting between Brentford and Newcastle. How would you summarise the way that time has gone for Eddie Howe’s side?

That game was the low point of Newcastle’s season, to be honest. They had just lost away at West Ham and there were similarities to that performance at Brentford, which was just before the start of an international break they really needed.

There was a bit of reset after that and Newcastle had a bit of an upturn in form. They have done pretty well in other competitions except the Premier League: they have reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in their history and nearly got into the top eight, they have progressed in the FA Cup, and reached the Carabao Cup semi-final again.

But, in the league, they have just really struggled to find consistent form. It has improved a bit since that international break, and they have put together a few runs, but the constant issue is that they have been so poor away from home and have only won two of 12 on the road.

That is why they are languishing in mid-table, rather than pushing for a top-five finish at the moment.

The draw with PSG last week meant Eddie Howe’s side dropped into the Champions League knockout play-offs. There’s no doubt they could have done without another two games but, on the whole, is there a positive feeling about progression?

If you said to most Newcastle fans at the start of the season that, in any way, shape or form, they would get through, they would have taken it. I do not think top eight was really the ambition beforehand.

However, they are the only English team who did not get there so, in some ways, that is a bit disappointing that they could - and possibly should - have been there.

They threw away points against Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen, but they get a home tie against Qarabag in the second leg, and they are happy to still be in the competition! The frustration is that, though it looks like the easier tie, they are going to have to travel all the way to Azerbaijan.

In a sense, Brentford is almost a relief for them because it is the only home game in a run of eight matches in all competitions. They have not had a break in midweek or at the weekend since the first two Premier League games of the season. The fixture list is unrelenting.

'The Brentford game is almost a relief for Newcastle, because it is the only home game in a run of eight matches in all competitions... the fixture list is unrelenting'

What are Newcastle’s realistic aims for the final few months of the season?

To try and get through to the last 16 in the Champions League and then see where it takes them from there. I do not think anyone would fancy facing Newcastle, certainly coming to St James’ Park, in Europe. They have shown that, at that level, they have the pace, physicality and weapons up front to do damage to European sides.

The FA Cup looks difficult because they have got Aston Villa away, but if they can go on a cup run and lift some silverware again, that would be very positive.

Really, they have to get back into Europe. The ideal would be to get into the Champions League and it looks like a fifth-place finish will be needed for that but, if they can be in at least the Europa League next season, it is some sort of European competition which, in some ways, you could argue that would suit them a little bit better and allow them to get used to Europe a little bit more.

But if they finish outside the European positions in the league, that would be seen as a disappointment.

Which player should Brentford be keeping an eye out for on Saturday evening?

Bruno Guimarães, if he is fit and available, which I think he probably will be by this game. Newcastle have missed him since he went off with an ankle injury a couple of weeks ago.

Since he made his full debut for the club in March 2022, they have not won a single Premier League game he has not started. That figure is up to 12 now.

He is the talisman - 11 of his last 13 goals have come at St James’ Park, and he has been involved in nine Premier League goals at home this season, so he is taking on a new mantle in that regard.

To have him back would be massive.

What should Keith Andrews’ men expect in terms of shape and style?

I very much expect it to be 4-3-3 at home.

Fitness-dependent, this is the team I expect: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey; Jacob Murphy, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon.

It could well be the time Wissa finally plays against his former club.

What’s your score prediction?

Mainly because, in my view, Newcastle simply have to win this game - and because, quite often, when Eddie Howe needs a win, he pulls one out of the bag - I am going to go for a 2-1 home win.