MY ACCOUNT
– Newcastle have kept only one clean sheet in their last 17 league and cup matches
– Brighton have scored at least twice in eight of their last 11 away league games
– Recommended bet: Brighton to win
Manchester United and Liverpool are keeping the pressure on Newcastle in the race for Champions League qualification so the Magpies need to bounce back from a 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal and a 2-2 draw at struggling Leeds in their last two games.
They face another serious test against fast-finishing Brighton, who thumped the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to get their shock 5-1 home loss to Everton out of their system.
Before then, the Seagulls had beaten Wolves 6-0 and Manchester United 1-0 and Roberto De Zerbi’s exciting young side are still in the hunt for the European places themselves.
Team news
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff (foot) is likely to miss out, while Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles will not feature again this season.
Brighton defender Joel Veltman is a doubt and Julio Enciso, who scored the opening goal at Arsenal on Sunday, will also be assessed. The Seagulls are missing the injured Solly March, Adam Lallana, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder.
The stats
Newcastle’s only defeats in 17 home Premier League matches this season have come against Arsenal and Liverpool
Three of the Magpies’ five league losses have been by a 2-0 scoreline
Newcastle have kept only one clean sheet in their last 17 matches in all competitions
Brighton have scored at least twice in eight of their last 11 Premier League away games
The Seagulls have kept clean sheets in nine of their last 10 league wins
Brighton have been losing at half-time in only two of their last 23 league fixtures
Prediction
Brighton dealt Arsenal’s faint hopes of winning the Premier League title a crushing blow on Sunday and they are worth backing for another away victory at St James’ Park.
Newcastle have been solid on their own patch this season but their lack of clean sheets is threatening to derail their push for the top four and Brighton have the quality to punish them on the counter-attack.
The Seagulls have had a couple of shock defeats recently, at Nottingham Forest and at home to Everton, but matches against the Premier League’s big guns seems to bring out the best in them.
As well as last weekend’s win at Arsenal, they have completed league doubles over Chelsea and Manchester United, scored six goals in two league meetings with Liverpool, and dominated last month’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
All the pressure is on Newcastle, who have won only one of their nine matches against the other top-six clubs, so Brighton, averaging 1.94 goals per game on the road this term, are dangerous outsiders at St James’ Park.
Back Brighton, available at 23/10 with LiveScore Bet
Win big with LiveScore 6!
Fancy winning up to £100,000?
Simply predict six correct scores from the weekend action for your chance to win, with consolation prizes also on offer if you go close.
Play LiveScore 6 for free this weekend (18+, UK only). Click here for details on how to get involved.
