2024-25 FA Cup: Fifth Round – Newcastle vs Brighton

Newcastle United meet Brighton & Hove Albion in a huge fifth-round tie in the 2024-25 FA Cup. 

Victory will see Newcastle achieve consecutive Quarter-Final appearances in this competition for the first time since 2004-05 & 05-06 seasons.

Brighton are looking for a second Quarter-Final appearance in three seasons.

 

Team News

Joelinton and Sven Botman could return for Newcastle following their recoveries from knee injuries.

Callum Wilson (eye) and Alexander Isak (groin) face late fitness checks but Jamaal Lascelles (knee) remain absent.

Brighton have no fresh injury concerns to report following their midweek Premier League win over Bournemouth.

Jason Steele (shoulder), Lewis Dunk (rib), Joel Veltman (foot), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio and James Milner (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Newcastle host Brighton at St James’ Park on Sunday 2 March at 1:45pm GMT, live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Newcastle have won one of their five previous FA Cup ties against Brighton (W1, L4), although their second tie did go to a replay in January 1983 which the Seagulls won 1-0 on Tyneside.
• Brighton have won both of their two previous FA Cup matches away to Newcastle (W2), during which they scored three goals without conceding.
• Newcastle have lost each of their last four FA Cup matches against Brighton (L4), during which they conceded six goals without reply.
• Eddie Howe’s Magpies have scored three goals in each of their two FA Cup ties this season, despite having conceded the opening goal in both matches.
• Three of Brighton’s six goals in this season’s FA Cup were scored by Georginio Rutter.

 

Prediction

Following a lacklustre league defeat at Liverpool with no shots on target, Newcastle really need to bounce back with a strong performance which we saw in the first half of their eventual 4-3 league win over Nottingham Forest at home last weekend, albeit this time without the defensive sloppiness of that second half.

Brighton meanwhile were absolutely clinical in a physical victory over Bournemouth where both teams matched each other in intensity, but the Seagulls certainly are back in their groove with a proper energy to their attacking play which could prove problematic for Newcastle.

Both teams though know that winning this season’s FA Cup is a hugely realistic target now which will only add extra motivation, so I do expect this to be a cracking battle but Newcastle should really have the edge at home even if extra time is required.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 (AET) Brighton

Result: Newcastle 1-2 (AET) Brighton