Player to miss the match, Team News, injury report, Predicted Lineup: Newcastle United F.C. vs Brighton

When they play Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, Newcastle will be looking to keep their spot in the top six of the Premier League.

The Seagulls beat the Magpies 3-1 in the rematch at the Amex Stadium in September, with Evan Ferguson scoring all three goals. They are now looking to get even with them.

After a good run of form over the last few weeks, Newcastle missed out on a second straight top-four finish this season. However, they are still on track to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

The Magpies only won one of their last five games last season, but they come into the home stretch of this season in a good mood, having won four of their last five games and scoring 14 goals.

Newcastle easily beat Burnley 4-1 last Saturday, one week after beating Sheffield United 5-1 at home. Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, and Bruno Guimaraes all scored in the first half, and Alexander Isak scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season after the break.

Eddie Howe’s team is currently sixth in the table, four points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place, who is badly out of form. With three games left to play, they are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Chelsea and eighth-placed Manchester United.

As a result, Newcastle still needs to work hard to make sure they play in Europe next season. Their first game is this Saturday against Brighton, a team they beat 6-2 in their last two home games.

In stark contrast to Newcastle, Brighton looked like they would be ending the season on a low note. A year after placing sixth in the Premier League, they are still in danger of finishing in the bottom half of the table.

However, the Seagulls stopped a six-game losing streak with a 1-0 home win over top-four contenders Aston Villa last weekend, which was good for their morale. Before Joao Pedro scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, Robin Olsen saved his penalty kick. Pedro then headed home the rebound.

After that, Roberto De Zerbi’s team moved up to 11th place in the Premier League table. However, they are now only seven points behind seventh-placed Chelsea with three games left, which means they are very unlikely to qualify for Europe next season.

It’s safe to say that Brighton hasn’t enjoyed many trips away in recent months. They’ve only won one of their last 10 away games in all competitions, a 5-0 thrashing of relegated Sheffield United. However, Brighton’s recent record against Newcastle is a good sign for Saturday’s game.

In fact, the Seagulls have only lost two of their last thirteen games against the Magpies. They are now trying to achieve a league double over the North-East team, having already done so twice before in 2020-21 and 1978–79.

Newcastle will be missing Fabian Schar (hamstring), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both ACL), Joe Willock, Matt Targett (both Achilles), and Lewis Miley (back) because they are hurt. Kieran Trippier has sped up his return from a calf problem and will be checked out before the game.

After five months of healing from a shoulder injury, Nick Pope was happy to be back with the team for a game, but it’s still not clear if he is ready to start in goal ahead of Martin Dubravka.

Since they have to prepare for two games in four days, Howe might switch up some places if he can. Players like Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Miguel Almiron, and Joelinton (who have all recently recovered from injuries) are pushing for a recall.

Ferguson (ankle), who scored a hat trick in the first game, Solly March (knee), Jack Hindshelwood (foot), Kaoru Mitoma (back), James Milner (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (muscle), and Pervis Estupinan (calf) are all still in the treatment room for Brighton. Jan Paul van Hecke (thigh) and Adam Lallana (unspecified) are also doubtful.

Since Van Hecke might not be able to play, Adam Webster will continue to play in the middle of defense with captain Lewis Dunk. Joel Veltman and Igor Julio will play as fullbacks.

Along with Danny Welbeck, Pedro, Simon Adingra, and Facundo Buonanotte may all keep their spots in attack. However, Julio Enciso and Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati will be trying to get back into the starting lineup.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Lewis Hall; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Anderson; Anthony Gordon, Alexandra Isak, Barnes

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Igor; Billy Gilmour, Gross; Facundo Buonanotte, Pedro, Adingra; Welbeck