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Brentford host European football-chasing Newcastle United on the final day of the Premier League season.
The visitors are currently in seventh but are not yet guaranteed a place in European competition next year. Kick-off is set for 4pm UK time at the Gtech Community Stadium.
After a rollercoaster season filled with peaks and troughs, Brentford head into the final day knowing their Premier League status is assured for next season. Currently sitting in 16th, the Bees could climb above Everton, who they trail behind by one point.
With just one loss in their last five, Thomas Frank's side have found form at the right time to ensure they didn't get dragged into a relegation dogfight during the final weeks of the campaign. Brentford are also unbeaten in their last five at home, though four of these have ended in draws.
Conceding goals has been a big problem for them throughout the season, but they have been much tighter at the back in recent weeks, particularly at home. Despite managing only seven clean sheets this term, including four at home, Frank's men have registered three of these in their last five home outings.
Coupled with their solid return of 1.5 goals per home fixture this term, no wonder the Bees have seen an upturn in form.
The Premier League table as we head towards The Final Day... 👀 pic.twitter.com/0D8j2Fx6C9
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 16, 2024
The Magpies have failed to build on their top four finish last season but could still find themselves in European competition next year. A win would seal at least a seventh-place finish, which would be enough to see them land in the Europa Conference League if Manchester City win the FA Cup. Victory, combined with a Chelsea defeat to Bournemouth, would see them leapfrog Mauricio Pochettino's men into sixth, though, sealing a place in the Conference League regardless of the outcome of the match at Wembley later this month.
Newcastle's recent away form has been patchy however, with Eddie Howe's side recording just two wins in their last five on the road. Three of these matches have also ended in defeat, including a 3-2 loss at Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Only five sides have fared worse than the Magpies in away fixtures this term. They've managed only five defeats on their travels, keeping a meagre two clean sheets in the process, and have conceded at least once in their last five matches overall.
A win is vital for Newcastle if they are to leave themselves in a strong position to play European football next season. Though Brentford have little left to play for, Newcastle's record on the road is far from convincing heading into the fixture.
Brentford have scored at least two goals in three of their last five, though, and face a Newcastle side who have made habit of conceding in away matches. They've kept just one clean sheet on the road since an 8-0 win at Sheffield United in September.