Newcastle United will be eager to reclaim third spot as they take on a Brighton & Hove Albion side still in with a chance of European football.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s form earlier in the season saw many experts tip them for a place in the top four or top five, which Newcastle United will likely occupy this season. Things have gone downhill for young manager Fabian Hurzeler, who has been unable to weed out the inconsistencies in his team’s performances.
In the period leading up to last weekend, Brighton were on a run of five games without a win in the Premier League while also being ousted by Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup. While the idea of Champions League qualification is long gone, there is still some hope for European action of some sort if Brighton can finish in the top nine, as there is a distinct possibility for England to have nine teams in continental competitions.
Last weekend, they did end their run of five winless games with a stellar late win against West Ham United. In a late twist in the contest where both teams scored, Carlos Baleba’s wonder strike made the difference, with the game ending in Brighton’s favour. Hurzeler will now want to push on and perform against Newcastle United, who are one of the in-form sides in the division.
In fact, since Newcastle United’s elimination from the FA Cup in the fifth round at the hands of Brighton, Eddie Howe’s men have been one of the most in-form teams in the division. Not only did they beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, but a run of five consecutive wins in the Premier League did take them back roaring into Champions League spots.
They did suffer a setback against Aston Villa in a 4-1 defeat but managed to overcome that with a win over a relegated Ipswich Town side last weekend. The Tractor Boys were down to ten men and held their ground late until halftime when an injury-time Alexander Isak penalty opened the deadlock.
The second half was pretty straightforward as Dan Burn and William Osula found the back of the net to secure a comfortable win and climb into third spot. Manchester City’s victory on Friday night over Wolves allowed Pep Guardiola’s side to climb into third, but Howe’s men have the chance to reclaim that position with a win away at Brighton.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have some fitness issues in the squad, with the likes of Ferdi Kadioglu, Georginio Rutter and James Milner all absent from proceedings. There is considerable doubt over the fitness of Adam Webster, and he may not make the matchday squad for the Newcastle United game.
Goalkeeper Jason Steele will also remain absent. The big blow comes in the form of Joao Pedro, who will continue to serve a suspension for his red card against Brentford, meaning Danny Welbeck will lead the line.
On the positive side, Kaoru Mitoma, who scored off the bench last weekend should be fit to start, while defender Igor is also available after a period of absence from the team due to an injury. The defender may not start given Fabian Hurzeler might prefer Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk at the heart of the defence.
Mats Wieffer should slot in at right-back, while Baleba and Jack Hinshelwood should be the starting central midfielders. Matt O’Riley should play in the attacking midfield role, with Yankuba Minteh on the right wing for Brighton & Hove Albion against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
Newcastle United
The big news for Newcastle United is with the knee injury to Joelinton, with Eddie Howe revealing the midfielder was travelling to Brazil to see a specialist. The Brazilian international is in danger of missing the remaining games this season, thus leaving the manager with a selection decision to choose his midfield setup.
Joe Willock is the likeliest candidate to replace Joelinton, and he will partner Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the park. The Brazilian now joins Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett and Lewis Hall on the sidelines, while there are still doubts about Sven Botman’s fitness.
Fabian Schar should continue alongside Dan Burn at the heart of the defence, while Howe will continue using Tino Livramento as his left-back with Kieran Trippier operating on the right. Harvey Barnes should continue instead of Anthony Gordon on the left wing, while Isak and Jacob Murphy complete the front three setup for the Magpies.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Dan Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion have only one win in their last six Premier League games.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have lost only three times in their last 17 games at home in the Premier League.
- Newcastle United have won six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Newcastle United have failed to win on their last five trips to the Amex Stadium.
- Alexander Isak has scored 22 Premier League goals this season, the most of any Newcastle United player in a top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003/04.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
A lot has been spoken about the Swedish striker with regards to his immediate future at Newcastle United. Eddie Howe will not be thinking about whether Alexander Isak will be with the team next season right now as he wants his main striker to deliver UEFA Champions League football and possibly even third place this season.
Isak has not been fazed by all the talk of a transfer in the media, as he has continued to perform at his best for the Magpies. The Swede remains one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League, and he will look to improve his tally between now and the end of the season, while also posing the biggest threat to Brighton’s defence.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Newcastle United
Brighton may have secured a late win against West Ham United last time out, but they were nowhere close to the best version under Fabian Hurzeler. Once again, the game exposed their inconsistencies in the many areas that have potentially cost them a place in the top five, and Newcastle United will be there to expose those problems once again.
The Magpies have a different objective in the games remaining this season, as they are angling to cement their place as the third-best team in the division. Considering the form of Newcastle United, it is safe to predict that they will oust the host with a 3-1 reverse scoreline to reclaim third spot from Manchester City.
