Newcastle vs Brighton: Match Preview | Premier League 2024/25

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By Stanley Samuel
6 Min Read

After a run of three games without a win, Eddie Howe will be gunning to rally his side to their first Premier League win since matchweek 4 as Newcastle host Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton at St James Park on Saturday lunchtime.

Eddie Howe’s side began the season brightly with 10 points from 4 Premier League games, but after a 3-1 defeat to Fulham, the Magpies have been held to two consecutive draws against Manchester City and Everton. They are unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season and have now won five of their last eight home league games. Without star striker Isak leading the lines, Newcastle have struggled in the attacking department, with two goals scored in three Premier League games without him.

Brighton will be looking to build on their dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Tottenham. With one win in five Premier League matches, Fabian Hurzeler’s side had endured a poor run of results, including a 4-2 thrashing to Chelsea. They have been defensively porous, as they’ve consistently been caught off guard playing the high line, having conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League games. More worrying for Fabian Hurzeler is Brighton’s away record, as they won only one of their last nine away league games.

NEWCASTLE VS BRIGHTON KICK OFF

Date: Saturday, 19 October 2024
Time: 14:00 HRS GMT
Venue: St. James Park, England.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: James Bell.
VAR: Tony Harrington.
Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.

NEWCASTLE VS BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS

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Newcastle Team News: Star striker Alexander Isak is in contention to start after some time on the sidelines, as confirmed by head coach Eddie Howe. Callum Wilson is an injury doubt as Kieran Trippier, Lewis Miley, and Sven Botman are sidelined due to injury. The rest of the squad should be available for selection.

Brighton Team News: Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Joao Pedro, Matt O Reily, James Milner, and Adam Webster are all sidelined with injury and therefore unavailable for selection, with Dutch defender Van Hecke in contention to start after a slight discomfort. The rest of the squad is fully available.

NEWCASTLE VS BRIGHTON PREMATCH ANALYSIS

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Eddie Howe sets his Newcastle side up in a more pragmatic manner, choosing to adapt to the opposition rather than having a rigid style of play. Newcastle are good at keeping things compact in midfield with the physicality of Bruno G & Joelinton, denying opposition central midfielders time and space to take up dangerous positions in their defensive half. They also rely on dangerous breaks, choosing to release dangerous balls into wide areas where they have a lot of pace and quality.

Fabian Hurzeler’s decision to consistently play a highline in the Premier League has been questioned, but as in the last comeback win against Spurs, when it works, it works beautifully. Brighton have quality players in possession and are looking to compress the pitch while playing through the opposition press. However, it becomes a problem against teams that are passive and choose not to press aggressively. The key battle would be in midfield, as Brighton’s technical players would have a lot of work dealing with the aggression of Newcastle’s physical midfielders.

Newcastle vs Brighton Key Players

Bruno Guimaraes

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Newcastle are likely to setup passively, choosing to concede possession while looking to exploit Brighton’s highline. Bruno G would be key to how successful this tactic would be, as his decision-making in both the defensive and attacking phases of the game would be critical. It would be important he consistently blocks passing lanes into dangerous areas while making quality decisions by choosing the right passes in transition.

Danny Welbeck

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The veteran striker has been in good form, with four goals and one assist in the Premier League this season. He’s been averaging 2.85 shots per 90 this season and has been more involved in buildup this season, often dropping between the lines to create an overload in central areas. His experience will be key in helping Brighton win the midfield battle against a very stacked Newcastle midfield.

Newcastle vs Brighton Predicted Lineups

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Brighton: Nick Pope, Livramento, Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

Brighton predicted lineup vs Newcastle: Verbruggen, Veltman, Igor Julio, Lewis Dunk, Estipunan, Weiffer, Jack, Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, Danny Welbeck.

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