Albion head to Newcastle on Saturday with their sights set on moving back into the top ten of the Premier League, kick-off 3pm.
Team news
In his press conference on Friday, Roberto De Zerbi said, "Joao Pedro has a problem with his ankle. It’s sad news for us. I don’t know, it happened today and I don’t know if tomorrow he can play.
"I am sad for that because Joao is important for us, especially in this moment for us when Julio Enciso and Ansu Fati are not at their top condition.
"Tariq Lamptey is back with us, but he can’t start the game. Tomorrow we will see if he can come on the bench."
Our last meeting
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Evan Ferguson netted his first Premier League hattrick in a fantastic 3-1 win for Albion over the Magpies back in September. Callum Wilson grabbed a late goal for Newcastle, with the striker now two short of his half century for the club.
Player to watch
Bruno Guimaraes is Eddie Howe’s go to man in midfield, with the former Lyon man arguably one of Newcastle’s finest signings in recent years. The all-3action Brazilian has six goals and six assists in the Premier League this season, while his form during the 2022/23 season was a key reason behind the Magpies qualifying for the Champions League.
How the table looks
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
MCI
|
38 | 28 | 7 | 3 | +62 | 91 |
|
2
|
ARS
|
38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | +62 | 89 |
|
3
|
LIV
|
38 | 24 | 10 | 4 | +45 | 82 |
|
4
|
AVL
|
38 | 20 | 8 | 10 | +15 | 68 |
|
5
|
TOT
|
38 | 20 | 6 | 12 | +13 | 66 |
|
6
|
CHE
|
38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | +14 | 63 |
|
7
|
NEW
|
38 | 18 | 6 | 14 | +23 | 60 |
|
8
|
MUN
|
38 | 18 | 6 | 14 | -1 | 60 |
|
9
|
WHU
|
38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | -14 | 52 |
|
10
|
CRY
|
38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | -1 | 49 |
|
11
|
Albion
|
38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | -7 | 48 |
|
12
|
EVE
|
38 | 13 | 9 | 16 | -11 | 48 |
|
13
|
BOU
|
38 | 13 | 9 | 16 | -13 | 48 |
|
14
|
FUL
|
38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | -6 | 47 |
|
15
|
WOL
|
38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | -15 | 46 |
|
16
|
BRE
|
38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | -9 | 39 |
|
17
|
NFO
|
38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | -18 | 36 |
|
18
|
LUT
|
38 | 6 | 8 | 24 | -33 | 26 |
|
19
|
BUR
|
38 | 5 | 9 | 24 | -37 | 24 |
|
20
|
SHU
|
38 | 3 | 7 | 28 | -69 | 16 |
Points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest are not included in the above table.
Match stats
Having failed to either win or score in their first four Premier League home games against Brighton (D2 L2), Newcastle have won 2-1 and 4-1 respectively in their last two against the Seagulls at St James’ Park.
Brighton are looking to complete the league double over Newcastle for the third time, previously doing so in 2020-21 (Premier League) and 1978-79 (second tier).
Newcastle have scored in all 18 of their Premier League home games so far this season. They last scored in 100% of their home league games in a single campaign in 1982-83, while they last did so in the top-flight in 1958-59.
Newcastle have scored at least four goals in nine different Premier League games this season – only in 1895-96 in the second tier (10) have they done so in more league games in a single campaign.
Newcastle have scored 78 Premier League goals season – it’s their second highest tally in a single campaign after 1993-94 (82), and their highest ever in a 38-game top-flight season.
Brighton won 1-0 against Aston Villa last time out, ending a six-game winless run in the Premier League. However, they’ve not won back-to-back league games since a run of three in September.
Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have netted just five goals in their last 10 Premier League games. It’s their lowest return in a 10-game spell since netting four times in 10 games between February and April 2022.
If he plays, this will be Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s 50th Premier League appearance. He’s netted 10 goals in his last nine games in the competition, as well as finding the net in each of his last seven at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon has been involved in more home goals than any other Newcastle player in the Premier League this season (16 – 9 goals, 7 assists). It’s the most by a player at St James’ Park in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (18 – 15 goals, 3 assists).
João Pedro has scored nine league goals this season; he could be the fourth different player to net double figures in a single Premier League campaign for Brighton after Glenn Murray (twice), Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister.
Match officials
Referee: Darren England.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Leigh Doughty.
VAR: Andy Madley.
Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton.