Albion face Newcastle United on Thursday (7.30pm) in search of three points that would see us take a massive step towards qualifying for European football for the first time.
Our 3-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday means we now need two wins from our remaining four games to secure sixth spot and Europa League football at the Amex next season.
Victory at the Emirates made it five wins from our last eight league matches, and was our eighth win on the road this season.
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It’s just as important a game for Newcastle, who as it stands need two wins to confirm their spot in next season’s Champions League.
It’s been an incredible season for Eddie Howe’s men who, after winning just one of their opening seven league games, have gone on impressive long winning runs to propel them into third spot with three games to play.
The form of Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak and more recently Callum Wilson has ensured that Newcastle have been prolific in front of goal, while the defensive five of Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and ex-Albion player Dan Burn have ensured they’ve kept 13 clean sheets so far this season.
Team news
Speaking in his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Roberto De Zerbi said, "Veltman Webster, March and Sanchez are all unavailable. We have to think very well about the first XI and the condition of the players. We can't lose anymore players for the last four games. We have to think with attention.
"I don't know if Solly can play in the last part of the season. I spoke with Robert before the Arsenal game and we decided together that the best solution was for him to stay at home."
Our last meeting
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Kieran Trippier’s early goalline clearance wasn’t the closest Albion came to taking all three points against Newcastle back in August, as we played out a goalless draw at the Amex. Adam Lallana was brilliantly denied by Nick Pope when the keeper tipped away the midfielder’s header, before Joel Veltman’s shot was cleared off the line by Fabian Schar. Pascal Gross then had a glorious opportunity late on, but sent his effort from six yards wide.
Player to watch
What a season he's having 🙌
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 13, 2023
Callum Wilson’s 17 goals are the most by a player for @NUFC in a single #PL season since Alan Shearer in 2003/04 (22) ⭐ pic.twitter.com/3q60W7iKQj
Callum Wilson’s seven goals in his last five games has put him on 17 for the season. The 31-year-old’s proficiency in front of goal means only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has a better minutes per goal record (74 minutes) than Wilson (100 minutes) among Premier League forwards.
Match stats
Newcastle have won just one of their 11 Premier League games against Brighton (D6 L4), though it was in this exact fixture last season (2-1). It's their lowest win rate against any side they've faced more than twice in the competition (9%).
Brighton have kept eight Premier League clean sheets against Newcastle, more than against any other side. They've kept a clean sheet in 73% of their Premier League games against the Magpies (8/11) – of all teams to face another more than 10 times in the competition, only Chelsea against Portsmouth (79%) have recorded a higher share of shutouts (11/14).
The reverse fixture between Newcastle and Brighton this season took place 278 days ago, on the 13th August 2022 (0-0). Excluding the 2019-20 campaign (which had a 3-month break during lockdown), it's the longest gap between two sides meeting in a single Premier League season.
Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League games, a 2-0 win against Manchester United in April. They've conceded twice in both of their last two, last conceding multiple goals in three consecutive games in December 2021.
Brighton have won eight Premier League away games this season, with only top two sides Manchester City (11) and Arsenal (12) winning more. Meanwhile, only Arsenal (35) have scored more on the road than Brighton (33) this term.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has lost just one of his eight Premier League meetings with Brighton (W5 D2), winning all four of his home games against the Seagulls in the top-flight.
Callum Wilson has scored 17 Premier League goals this season, including 10 in his last nine appearances. It's the most by a Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (22).
Brighton have scored eight Premier League goals from teenagers this season (Ferguson 4, Enciso 3, Buonanotte 1), more than any other side. The last team to net more such goals in a campaign were Manchester United in 2019-20 (11).
Deniz Undav has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games for Brighton, having failed to find the net in any of his first 14 appearances in the competition.
Callum Wilson has scored 10 Premier League braces for Newcastle (including three in his last four games), but is yet to net a hat-trick for the Magpies. Only Sadio Mané at Liverpool (12) and Ryan Giggs for Manchester United (11) have netted more braces for a side without getting a hat-trick in the competition.
Match officials
Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Ian Hussin, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Thomas Bramall. VAR: Jarred Gillettt. Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.