Two Premier League teams seeking to return to winning ways do battle at the American Express Community Stadium on Saturday evening, as Brighton & Hove Albion play host to Newcastle United.
The Seagulls and the Magpies most recently meet during the Premier League Summer Series tournament over the summer, with Eddie Howe’s side running out 2-1 winners.
Brighton fans had every right to feel optimistic heading into last weekend’s home encounter with West Ham United having previously brushed aside both Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers by 4-1 scorelines
However, Roberto De Zerbi has been left with plenty to ponder after his side – who thrashed West Ham 4-0 in March – suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to the Hammers despite dominating the contest with 78% possession and 25 attempts on goal.
A late strike from newly called-up Germany midfielder Pascal Gross – who has become the club’s all-time leading scoring in the Premier League with 27 goals – proved inconsequential, as earlier goals from James Ward-Prowse, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio condemned the Seagulls to their first defeat of the campaign.
Defensive errors ultimately cost Brighton, but De Zerbi was only left “frustrated” with the result and not the performance, and the Italian has called for those hyping up his team to lower their expectations despite “fixing the target higher” this term after securing an impressive sixth-place finish last season.
Seeking to avoid consecutive league defeats for the first time since October last year, Brighton will hope to bounce back with a victory on Saturday against a Newcastle side whom they have failed to beat in their last four meetings, drawing their last two on home soil.
Brighton were not the only Premier League side who suffered a disappointing defeat last weekend as Newcastle were put to the sword 2-1 against 10-man Liverpool at St James’ Park, despite leading the match heading into the final five minutes.
Following a first half that saw Virgil van Dijk dismissed for a last-man foul shortly before Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, the Magpies appeared to be on course to hold on for all three points. However, they were made to pay for failing to put the game to bed as Liverpool super sub Darwin Nunez fired two brilliant strikes past Nick Pope to dramatically turned the contest on its head.
Eddie Howe acknowledged that the defeat was ‘tough to take’, but he has been encouraged by his side’s start to the new campaign – despite picking up just three points from a possible nine available – and is confident they are strong enough to “bounce back” quickly.
Returning to winning ways on Saturday is not a given, though, as they have failed to win any of their previous six Premier League visits to Brighton, including four draws and two defeats.
Newcastle have also won only one of their last five top-flight fixtures away from home, while they have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 10 on the road, although they did prevent Brighton from scoring in a goalless draw on the South Coast last season.
Brighton attacker Julio Enciso is facing a “long period” on the sidelines with a knee injury according to De Zerbi, and Jakub Moder is still recovering from an ACL problem, while Tariq Lamptey is doubtful with a knee issue of his own.
De Zerbi will ponder making changes to his starting lineup, which could see Jason Steele return in goal at the expense of Bart Verbruggen and Joao Pedro take the place of either Evan Ferguson or Danny Welbeck in attack.
Carlos Baleba is in contention to make his debut after completing his move from Lille on Tuesday, and the 19-year-old is set to battle with Billy Gilmour and Mahmoud Dahoud for a start in centre-midfield alongside Gross, while the Seagulls will also hope to have attacker Ansu Fati registered in time to face Newcastle as he edges closer to completing a loan move from Barcelona.
As for the Magpies, Joe Willock (thigh) and Emil Krafth (ACL) remain in the treatment room, while Sven Botman was forced off with an ankle problem in the closing stages of the defeat to Liverpool and will be assessed ahead of kickoff; Jamaal Lascelles is also a doubt amid a police investigation regarding an altercation involving the defender outside a Newcastle city-centre nightclub last weekend.
Javier Manquillo has returned to training following a spell out with a groin injury, but the Spaniard is not expected to be involved on Saturday, with Kieran Trippier instead set to continue at right-back ahead of Valentino Livramento, while former Brighton man Dan Burn keeps his spot on the left ahead of Matt Targett and new recruit Lewis Hall.
A midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton is set to remain intact, although Elliot Anderson – who received his first Scotland call-up earlier this week – will continue to push for his first start of the season, while Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon should keep their places in attack ahead of Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Milner, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour; March, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Newcastle United
Although Brighton and Newcastle drew a blank in front of goal in this fixture last season, we believe there will be a greater level of goalmouth action this time around considering the attacking threat both teams possess. There is little to separate these two sides, though, so an entertaining score draw could be on the cards.
