Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 14:00 7 December 2024
14:00 7 December 2024
Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Newcastlepublished at 10:52 7 December 2024
10:52 7 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
Brentford's home record is incredible, and still the best in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle were impressive against Liverpool in midweek but their challenge is to follow up that performance here, because they have been very up and down so far.
This is a difficult one to call, but I always expect goals from the Bees when they are at home.
In contrast, Newcastle have not been scoring consistently this season but they got three against the leaders and I think they will get a couple more here.
Payne's prediction: 2-1
It is no surprise Newcastle play well when Alexander Isak is on form, because he is such a good player. But I have really enjoyed watching Brentford this season, and they are so good at home.
Howe on the 'steep comedown', Schar and climbing the leaguepublished at 10:28 6 December 2024
10:28 6 December 2024
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Brentford (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He said "there were some tired bodies" after the draw with Liverpool but "our job is to refuel the group and go again".
Howe added: "After any game, there's a comedown. But I think it will be a steep one after the Liverpool game. Our challenge this weekend is to find a way to hit the same levels of intensity and mental qualities that we showed on Wednesday, so quickly."
Howe suggested there would be some changes to the starting line-up but there has still "got to be a balance" in order to compete against Brentford.
He said his players "looked really good athletically against a top team" and prior to the Liverpool match there was the "correct attitude and mental preparation from the players" to attack the game.
On Fabian Schar's goal: "He has been so important for us in the build-up phases. He uses the ball really well - long and short. His goal rounded everything up and is a great example of him. How he scored that is beyond me, I certainly wouldn't have been able to do that as a centre-back!"
Howe said they "need to start well" against Brentford because Thomas Frank's side have proved to be quick from the get-go, and added: "They are a very good set-piece team, so we need to be on our guard."
On how his side use recovery days: "They do loads of classic recovery tools. We have really good internal facilities now too. The lads utilise all of those things but nothing beats the old-fashioned good diet and sleep. Mentally, there is work we need to do to get the players in the right place."
He said there are "lots of ifs and buts" to where a win at Brentford would put them in the Premier League table but the opportunity of climbing into the top six "is there to be taken". Howe added: "Key for us is to be optimistic and very positive. We've been slightly inconsistent but that is in the past and I still believe there's more to come."
Gossip: Arsenal and Chelsea keen on Isakpublished at 07:35 6 December 2024
07:35 6 December 2024
Arsenal and Chelsea are both targeting a striker and the two London clubs have a similar list of targets, which includes Newcastle United's Sweden forward Alexander Isak, 25. (Caught Offside), external
Nostalgic night under St James' Park lightspublished at 14:40 5 December 2024
14:40 5 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Wednesday's 3-3 draw between Newcastle and Liverpool provided a lovely feeling of nostalgia for many people watching as it was a game of old.
It was a great game and there is always an energy around midweek nights at St James' Park.
Newcastle were very much on the front foot in the first half and it was a great goal from Alexander Isak. Liverpool weren't at their absolute best but Arne Slot is really good at tweaking his team at half-time to bring out a better version of them in the second half.
Even when Liverpool scored, Newcastle were still pushing forward and then when they equalised the noise level inside the stadium went up again.
At 3-2 you probably thought the game was over, so fair play to Newcastle for bouncing back. That came through a mistake by Caoimhin Kelleher, which 99 times out of 100 would not have been punished the way it was.
The finish from Fabian Schar is not getting enough credit and it will probably be one of the best finishes of the season.
It was just an incredible game and the Newcastle fans will have loved it. From a Liverpool perspective, it probably serves as a bit of a reminder of what is ahead of them this season.
They might want to win the Premier League title but there will be hiccups along the way and Wednesday's result was a big boost for those teams around them in the title race.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford