Newcastle team news: Fati and Welbeck out

Albion bid to return to winning ways on Saturday when we host Newcastle United at the Amex. The game is sold out and kicks off at 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports.

Team news

Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Ansu Fati won't make his debut this weekend, while Danny Welbeck is out with a small injury.

"I think no [Fati won't be involved], he hasn’t worked in the last four or five days.

"Danny Welbeck can’t play, it’s a muscular injury, but the situation isn’t so bad. We are in good condition."

How to follow the game

The match is sold out, but you can still get a ticket via the ticket exchange, providing you meet the criteria.

Our Live Match Centre will bring you all the news during the build-up, during the game and post-match.

The game is live on Sky Sports and will kick-off at 5.30pm.

You can also listen to live commentary on MyAlbion TV and there will be coverage across all our social media channels.

Player to watch

Highly-regarded Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali was one of five signings Newcastle made in the transfer window as they prepared for a twin assault on the Premier League and Champions League.

Tonali, 23, made his Serie A debut for Brescia in 2019 and made nearly 100 appearances there before heading to AC Milan in 2021, initially on loan before the move was made permanent. Tonali was highly regarded by Milan fans but in July he signed a few-year contract with Newcastle and scored on his Premier League debut in their 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

Past meetings

Albion have won 12 of the 32 meetings with Newcastle, losing 11 with nine draws. Albion dominated the corresponding fixture last season but couldn’t find a way past Nick Pope and it ended goalless. When we travelled to St James’ Park in May the hosts were on a roll and although Deniz Undav made it 2-1 early in the second half, two late goals condemned us to a 4-1 defeat. Newcastle were worthy winners, but their three-goal margin felt a bit harsh.

Newcastle haven’t won any of their six Premier League games at the Amex, but have drawn four of them.

Stats and facts

• Newcastle's last away win against Albion came in February 2017 in the Championship (2-1), with the Magpies failing to win any of their six visits in the Premier League (D4 L2).
• Albion suffered a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United last time out, having won their first two Premier League matches this season. The Seagulls haven’t lost consecutive games since October 2022 in Roberto De Zerbi’s second and third games in charge.
• Newcastle have lost both of their last two Premier League games, this after having only lost two of their previous 15 beforehand (W10 D3). The Magpies last suffered three consecutive league defeats in March/April 2022.
• Brighton have had the most shots (68), shots on target (30), touches in the opposition box (159) and accumulated the most xG (7.7) in the Premier League so far this season. It’s the most shots on target a team has had in their opening three games in a season since Manchester City in 2011-12 (31), while it’s the most touches in the opposition box Opta has on record in the first three games (2008-09 onwards).
• Since the start of last season, Newcastle’s seven Premier League defeats have come against teams who started the day, on average, in sixth position, with Brighton coming into this game in sixth. Indeed, 69% of Eddie Howe’s Premier League defeats with the Magpies have come against sides starting the day in the top six (11/16).
• Brighton have scored in their last 19 Premier League matches, with Aston Villa the last side to enjoy a longer run (20, Nov 2022 – Apr 2023). The Seagulls last netted in 20 consecutive league games between March and September 2011 (22 in a row).
• Last weekend, Pascal Gross became Brighton’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with his goal against West Ham his 27th in the competition. The German has four goals in his last six at the Amex, as many as he managed in his previous 30 home games, and he has created the most chances in the Premier League so far this season (14).
• Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has been involved in three goals in his last four Premier League appearances (2 goals, 1 assist), having not scored or assisted in his previous 20. His first ever Premier League goal was scored against Brighton in January 2022, a game he scored twice in but ultimately ended on the losing side in a 3-2 loss with Everton.
• Two of the three players to progress the ball the furthest upfield in the Premier League this season are Brighton’s Lewis Dunk (682m, 1st) and Kaoru Mitoma (530m, 3rd). Only Phil Foden (6) has created more chances following a ball carry than Mitoma (5), while the Japanese international has progressed the ball further upfield than any other non-defender.

Match officials

Referee: Stuart Attwell. Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Darren Bond. Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.