Newcastle United host Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park in a pivotal clash in the race for Europe.
Victory would see Newcastle stay third in the table, whilst Brighton can stay sixth with a win but move to within five points of the Magpies.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-2 draw at Leeds.
Sean Longstaff (foot), Jamaal Lascelles (calf), Ryan Fraser (personal), Emil Krafth and Matt Ritchie (both knee) remain absent.
Brighton could have Julio Enciso available after he was substituted with a minor knock in their 3-0 win at Arsenal last weekend.
Robert Sanchez (personal), Joel Veltman, Adam Webster (both muscle), Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot), Solly March and Adam Lallana (both hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off
Newcastle host Brighton in a 7:30pm BST kick-off at St James’ Park on Thursday 18 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK after BT Sport dropped the fixture following its postponement in February.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just one of 11 previous Premier League meetings against Brighton (W1, D6, L4).
- Brighton are unbeaten in four of five previous Premier League trips to Newcastle (W2, D2, L1).
- Four of the six draws between Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League have finished goalless, whilst the two other draws both finished 1-1.
- No defender within the current top four teams has produced more assists this season than Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier (6).
- Alexis Mac Allister has played more through balls than any other Brighton player this season, having created 13 through balls in 31 league appearances.
Prediction
Knowing that only two more wins would secure Champions League qualification and with two of their last three matches at home, Newcastle certainly should be buoyant after fighting back for an eventual 2-2 draw after a sloppy defensive first-half although their end product was wasteful in open play.
Brighton meanwhile must realistically win all of their four remaining games if want a top-four finish and after how they dismantled Arsenal, they have to believe that a win here is possible if they can deliver another clinical performance with great turnovers from defence into attack.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls also have the upper hand in this fixture although most meetings have ended in a draw, which simply won’t do here for either team so I do expect both clubs to absolutely go for the win which could open up the game into an entertaining tussle.
One thing which Newcastle must of be wary of concerning Brighton is that the Seagulls like their opposition to attack them, meaning that the hosts must have their defensive wits about thems to avoid being hit on the counter-attack at quick pace.
Do that then I can see a draw which would all but mathematically end Brighton’s top-four dreams but these Seagulls can’t be underestimated, because if they play like they did at Arsenal then I can see them nicking this.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Brighton
