Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Newcastle United to the Amex Stadium in an important clash at foot of the table.
As Saturday’s late match, this could be a huge chance for Brighton to all but mathematically secure their safety depending on Cardiff’s result at Fulham during the mid-afternoon games.
Should Cardiff lose then a Seagulls win would be enough due to superior goal difference otherwise the relegation battle will continue until next weekend with any other result for either team.
Newcastle meanwhile could climb to 11th with a win if teams around them lose earlier in the day.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesBrighton have no fresh injury concerns as Anthony Knockaert returns to the squad after serving a three match ban.
Jason Steele and Davy Propper remain sidelined with respective wrist and hamstring injuries.
Miguel Almiron will miss Newcastle’s last three games of this season after suffering a hamstring injury during last Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Southampton.
He joins Florian Lejeune and Sean Longstaff (both knee) in the treatment room until next season.
Jamaal Lascelles has been ruled out of this match with stomach cramp but Fabian Schar is set to return from a muscular injury alongside Isaac Hayden, who has overcome a hip issue which saw him subbed off last weekend.
Form
Brighton have taken just a point from their last six league games but are yet to score in their last seven across all competitions.
Newcastle meanwhile have seven points from their last five matches but have taken just five points from their last six away trips.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are unbeaten in their three Premeir League meetings with Newcastle, winning 1-0 either side of a goalless draw (W2, D1).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last six trips to Brighton (W1, D1, L4).
- Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie has produced 243 crosses, just two less than Everton’s Lucas Digne who has produced a league high 245 crosses this season.
- Matthew Ryan has made just one sweeper clearance for Brighton this season.
- Brighton’s Glenn Murray and Newcastle’s Solomon Rondon have both averaged 0.31 goals per match.
Prediction
Brighton have produced two outstanding defensive performances in the past week but against Newcastle, they will need to also bring their attacking game.
If they fail to do so then I can only see one result coming here and it will be a comfortable away win.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Newcastle United
Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Newcastle United
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Newcastle United
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