Both with aspirations of enjoying European nights next season, Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United clash at The Amex on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.
The Seagulls boosted their top-eight hopes with victory over West Ham United last time out, whereas the Magpies cherished another productive afternoon in the North-East at the expense of Ipswich Town.
Match preview
© Imago
After enduring a six-game winless run across the Premier League and FA Cup recently, Brighton managed to get their European ambitions back on track last Saturday afternoon, when Sunday’s hosts secured a much-needed success over strugglers West Ham in front of a hostile East Sussex crowd.
It appeared as if the Seagulls were heading towards yet another disappointing day on the South Coast as the Hammers led the contest heading into the final stages, however a pair of substitutes saved the occasion, with Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba goals snatching maximum points.
Following a respectable 11th-placed finish in the top flight last season, Brighton are back in the hunt for European qualification this time around, with Fabian Hurzeler‘s troops currently occupying ninth spot, tied on points with Fulham in eighth as the campaign reaches its dramatic conclusion.
Despite ranking a modest ninth in terms of home form, the Seagulls have been an incredibly tough nut to crack on the South Coast this season, defeated in just three of their 17 Premier League home battles at The Amex, with only Arsenal (1), Aston Villa (1) and Chelsea (2) losing fewer games at their respective bases.
With summer arrivals arguably failing to set the division alight this season, 2023 recruit Joao Pedro continues to be the shining star at the top of the Brighton team, with the three-time Brazil international leading both of his side’s goalscoring (10) and assist (6) charts at this stage.
© Imago
Following the end of a 70-year wait for a major trophy in March, Newcastle have focused on purely Premier League matters, with Sunday afternoon’s visitors to The Amex on a mission to make a return to the Champions League following a single-year absence, marking the ambition of the club.
The Magpies have now won six of their last seven top-flight clashes after a routine success over Championship-bound Ipswich last weekend, when there were first league goals of the term for Dan Burn and Will Osula, as well as a 26th goal of the entire term from Alexander Isak.
After extending their league winning run at St James’ Park to an impressive five matches last time out at the expense of the sorry Tractor Boys, Eddie Howe‘s troops moved up to third place in the Premier League table, boasting a two-point buffer between themselves and Nottingham Forest in sixth.
Possessing the fourth-best away record in the top flight, the Magpies should be relatively confident of getting the job done on the South Coast this weekend, however the North-East giants suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign during their most recent outing, losing 4-1 at Aston Villa on April 19.
A starter for the loss in the Second City, Jacob Murphy is continuing to prove his worth for a Newcastle side who are aiming to be Champions League regulars in the near future, with the former Norwich City man trailing only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the Premier League’s assist charts.
Team News
© Imago
After netting off the bench in each of the last two matches, Brighton attacker Mitoma is fit enough to feature from the start this weekend against Newcastle.
The same can be said of centre-back Igor, who has spent an extended period in the Seagulls’ medical room following a thigh injury in January.
On a more negative note, the hosts are unsure of the availability of Adam Webster, with the 30-year-old a doubt to make the matchday squad owing to a thigh problem.
Leading marksman Pedro remains suspended for Brighton, whilst Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Georginio Rutter (ankle) and James Milner (hamstring) face a battle to play before the conclusion of the season.
Newcastle boss Howe has revealed an injury blow in the build-up to the Brighton trek, with midfielder Joelinton travelling to Brazil for specialist treatment on a knee injury.
The Magpies are also without the services of club captain Jamaal Lascelles, who picked up a serious knee issue at the end of last season.
The options of the visitors in defence are further reduced by the absences of Lewis Hall and Matt Targett, with the pair sidelined because of ankle and hamstring problems respectively.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood, Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Newcastle United
After winning dramatically on home soil last time out, Brighton will be looking to repeat the trick when Newcastle visit The Amex this weekend.
The Magpies have hit their stride at an ideal stage of the season and should have enough firepower to claim a much-needed three points on the South Coast.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
