After a dignified defeat at the hands of Manchester City, it can be argued that the confidence the team have gained from that performance might give us the edge on Saturday as we go up against Brighton at St. James' Park. Despite Brighton avoiding the relegation zone since the season really took off, it's safe to say that they have been incredibly reliant on new signing Pascal Gross. If Newcastle play at their best and Gross is kept quiet through the match, there is a firm chance for Newcastle to finish 2017 on a high.
Brighton manager, Chris Hughton will of course be returning to St. James' Park for the fourth time since his controversial sacking seven years ago. Since his departure from the club, Newcastle have won on all three previous occasions as an opposing manager at St. James' Park.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Newcastle wins: 9
Brighton wins: 9
Draws: 3
League
Newcastle wins: 8
Brighton wins: 5
Draws: 2
League at St. James' Park
Newcastle wins: 4
Brighton wins: 2
Draws: 1
Previous ten (all competitions)
Brighton wins: 5 (12 goals)
Newcastle wins: 3 (10 goals)
Draws: 2
Biggest win (in this fixture)
Newcastle United 5 - 0 Brighton (21/10/1961)
Our two biggest wins in our history against Brighton came in the same season (1961/62) with a 5-0 thrashing at home followed a 4-0 win away the following March. This season was the first time the two teams found themselves in the same league division and only played against each other once before in an FA Cup tie in the 1929/30 season.
Biggest defeats (in this fixture)
Newcastle United 1 - 3 Brighton (05/05/1979)
Newcastle United 0 - 2 Brighton (04/01/1986)

It was a good performance by the Toon Army in this fixture last season. An excellent Jamaal Lascelles header followed by a first Newcastle goal for Jonjo Shelvey gave the team their fourth consecutive win in all competitions on the August bank holiday weekend.
When the two sides met in September earlier this season, it was the first time the two teams came up against each other in the top flight having met a total of 14 times in the second tier over the course of 56 years.