Before this season, the two sides have never met in the top flight. Last season was the first time the two clubs were in the same division since the 1991/92 season. The Toon Army go into the game on Sunday afternoon still in a good mood after experiencing three Premier League wins on the bounce for the first time since the five-game winning streak spanning from 18th October until 22nd November 2014 - while Alan Pardew was in charge.

Another reason for the Magpies to get excited is the 4th position that they currently occupy - the highest we have ever been since the opening day of the 2012/13 season after beating Tottenham at home 2-1.

Facts and Figures

All Competitions

Newcastle wins: 9

Brighton wins: 8

Draws: 3

League

Newcastle wins: 8

Brighton wins: 4

Draws: 2

League at Brighton

Newcastle wins: 4

Brighton wins: 2

Draws: 1

Previous ten (all competitions)

Newcastle wins: 4 (13 goals)

Brighton wins: 4 (11 goals)

Draws: 2

Biggest wins (in this fixture)

Brighton 0 - 4 Newcastle United (10/03/1962)

Newcastle's biggest win down at the south coast club came on their first visit to, Brighton's then home, the Goldstone Ground in the old Division 2 in March 1962. Newcastle were relegated from Division 1 the previous season however they did run riot against Brighton both at home and away. The reverse fixture played at St. James' Park earlier in the campaign made it a long trip back down south for Brighton as they lost 5-0.

It ended up being a rather uninspired season with a mid-table finish. However we would only have to wait three years before a return to top flight football in 1965. As for Brighton, it was a period of difficult times for them as they finished at the foot of the table and then get relegated again from Division 3 the following season.

Biggest defeat (in this fixture)

Brighton 2 - 0 Newcastle United (30/12/1978)

Brighton 4 - 2 Newcastle United (16/01/1991)

Brighton 2 - 0 Newcastle United (05/01/2013)

The last time this fixture took place was of high importance for both sides back in February of this year. With the Championship being, pretty much, a two-horse race between Brighton and Newcastle, a win would have created a massive step towards promotion as they looked to race away from Huddersfield and Reading who were breathing down the necks of the Seagulls and the Mags. After Brighton took the lead from a questionable penalty, I admit that, considering how we were playing, I found it difficult to see a way back into the game. However a massive stroke of luck for Mo Diame provided the equaliser. Minutes later, substitute Ayoze Perez made the most of the space he was given in the box to finish as he side footed home a set up from Christian Atsu - a goal that, in my view, impacted a lot of the season.

Putting history aside; it is worth mentioning that this match will be the 7th time that Chris Hughton will be up against the Toon Army after his rather sad departure in December 2010. Many Newcastle fans still have their full respect for Hughton after he guided the club back to the Premier League at the first attempt after taking on the job while the club was in a state of disarray in 2009. The promotion wasn't the only memorable occasion. Upon returning to the top flight, a 6-0 drubbing of Aston Villa on the first home game of the season, beating Arsenal away as well as the 5-1 thrashing of Sunderland on home soil.