Two teams level on points in the Premier League table do battle at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon as Newcastle United play host to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Magpies and the Seagulls played out a 1-1 draw in the North East the last time they butted heads in May of last season, with Joel Veltman's opener cancelled out by Sean Longstaff.
Match preview
© Imago
After winning three of their opening four Premier League matches, albeit in somewhat unconvincing fashion, Newcastle have since failed to come out on top in any of their last three games, with a 3-1 defeat at Fulham followed by back-to-back draws with Manchester City and Everton.
The Magpies claimed a respectable point in a 1-1 home draw with Man City before being forced to share the spoils in a goalless stalemate at Everton in their most recent match prior to the international break, with ex-Toffees winger Anthony Gordon failing to convert a first-half penalty beyond Jordan Pickford.
Eddie Howe was left "frustrated" after his side 'snatched at chances' in the final third, but he believes that "big steps forward" were made from a defensive perspective and was pleased to come away from Goodison Park with their first clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season.
The Magpies boss, who has confirmed that he was not interviewed by the Football Association to become the next England manager, currently sees his team sitting seventh in the Premier League table, level on points with Saturday's opponents Brighton in sixth and only two points behind the top four.
Newcastle will welcome a return to St James' Park where they boast an 11-game unbeaten run (W6 D5) dating back to February, while they have also not lost any of their previous three home encounters with Brighton.
© Imago
After suffering their first defeat of the Fabian Hurzeler era away against Chelsea (4-2), Brighton looked on course to lose against another London-based opponent in Tottenham Hotspur prior to the international break, as they were trailing the Lilywhites 2-0 at half time at the Amex Stadium.
However, the Seagulls mounted a magnificent second-half comeback and three goals in the space of 22 minutes from Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck helped them to secure a memorable 3-2 victory, extending their unbeaten home record this season to six matches.
Hurzeler has insisted that he is not too concerned about results at this stage of the season and is keen to "focus on the process", while he is also looking forward to the "big challenge" that his Brighton side are set to face against Newcastle this weekend.
Brighton have performed well in recent meetings with Newcastle, losing just two of their last 14 Premier League meetings (W5 D7), although both of those defeats were suffered across their last three visits to St James' Park.
The Seagulls will be keen to make improvements in defence as they have conceded eight goals in each of their three league games - they have not conceded two or more goals in four consecutive games since a run of six put together in March 2022.
Team News
© Imago
Newcastle United are still without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles (both ACL), although the former has been pictured in individual training, while Kieran Trippier has been ruled out for "a few weeks" with a hamstring injury.
Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley, who have both been nursing back issues, will be assessed ahead of kickoff, as will Martin Dubravka (knee) and Matt Targett (lacking match fitness), while Miguel Almiron is also a doubt after returning from international duty in South America on Friday.
However, Howe has confirmed that Alexander Isak has "trained well" and is in contention to play on Saturday after missing the last two Premier league match with a toe injury. The Swede could therefore be ready to start up front which would allow Gordon to move out wide.
Valentino Livramento is expected to start at right-back in the absence of Trippier, while Sandro Tonali is hoping to start his third successive league game in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
As for Brighton, Adam Webster picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Spurs and has joined James Milner (hamstring), Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley (both ankle) in the treatment room.
Julio Enciso and Pervis Estupinan are both doubtful after returning late from international duty in South America, but Hurzeler has confirmed that Jan Paul van Hecke is available for selection after missing the last two games with a groin problem.
Carlos Baleba could also be fit to feature despite being stretchered off in Cameroon's win over Kenya last week after he only sustained a "light injury" according to the midfielder's national team manager.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Wieffer; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
We say: Newcastle United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Each of Brighton's last four games have seen at least four goals scored and another entertaining end-to-end contest could be on the cards at St James' Park this weekend.
Newcastle have a solid home record against Brighton, but we are backing the Seagulls to come away with at least a share of the spoils on this occasion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
