Fresh off a hard fought 2-0 victory away to Brentford last weekend, Newcastle are back at St James Park as they entertain Graham Potter’s Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Magpies have turned their fortunes around over the recent months after a dismal first half of the season. The St James Park outfit find themselves in 14th place, four points above the relegation zone after a current unbeaten run of seven games and they certainly aren’t taking their foot off the gas just yet. Eddie Howe will want to make sure that his team fight for every point available, their next three fixtures after this weekend are all on the road and within ten days starting with Southampton on Thursday 10th March then Chelsea and Everton on the 13th & 17th March respectively.
When it comes to facing up against this weekend’s opponents, Newcastle have failed to win in any of their nine top-flight clashes and failed to score in the last four home fixtures against The Seagulls. The Geordie faithful will be hoping that this will change come 5pm on Saturday as they have turned a corner since Eddie Howe was brought in.
Brighton on the other hand didn’t have the same success recently compared to their opponents. In February, Graham Potter’s men suffered three successive defeats without finding the back of the net, last weekends defeat to Aston Villa being their seventh of the season. Brighton have challenging fixtures coming up after their visit to Newcastle as Liverpool, Tottenham Hostspur & Manchester City follow. With 26 goals to his name for Brighton in the topflight, Neil Maupay is currently level with Glenn Murray as the club’s top goal scorer, one more goal with see him surpass that record.
Newcastle United Team News: French Winger Allan Saint-Maximin is doubtful for the game so Jacob Murphy will expect to retain his place in the line-up. Dan Burn is expected to start against his former club, he has paired well with Fabian Schar. Bruno Guimaraes and Jamaal Lascelles could have to settle for the bench.
Brighton & Hove Albion Team News: Adam Webster is unlikely to be included in the matchday squad as he recovers from a groin injury. Adam Lallana could be in contention to be included in the matchday squad. Neil Maupay and Leandro Trossard are expected to lead the line up front. Jeremy Sarmiento and Enock Mwepu will miss out with hamstring injuries.
Sutty’s Match Prediction: Despite there being 22 Premier League Draws in games involving Newcastle & Brighton so far this season, I predict a Newcastle victory. Brighton’s recent poor form and Newcastle’s revival should be enough for the home side to come away with three points and extend their unbeaten start to 2022. My score line being Newcastle 2 – Brighton 0.
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