Brighton (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

There's no getting away from it. Tonight feels absolutely massive.

Like so many on Tyneside, I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. Social media has been filled with anxious Newcastle fans all week, with nerves not helped by Liverpool's 3-0 win at Leicester on Monday - a win that sent them one point behind Eddie Howe's Mags and a few steps closer on goal difference.

It's easy to worry about Jurgen Klopp's Reds or the fact Brighton went to the Emirates and won 3-0 on Sunday, but we need to focus on ourselves. Let's focus on the fact St James' Park has been fortress all season, the fact we nearly always bounce back from setbacks and perform under the lights when we really need to.

Win tonight and it doesn't matter what Liverpool do at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, as a victory over Leicester on Monday night would make certain of a top-four finish. Three games left, six points needed and a huge chance to get it done over the next five days.

Drawing from a winning position at Leeds was frustrating, yet I don't buy this argument that we're fading. We've won eight of our last 11 games. Yes, we've missed Longstaff and aren't keeping clean sheets like we once were, but it wasn't long ago we beat Spurs, Everton and Southampton by an aggregate score of 13-3. Keep the faith.

Here's what Eddie Howe's had to say ahead of tonight's 7.30pm kick-off:

"It's one we're looking forward to. It's going to be a really good game between two excellent teams. I've got a lot of respect for Brighton and what they've done this season and how they play. It's going to be a tough assignment for us but one, at home, we're not fearful of.

"Especially at home it's absolutely crucial that we try and involve the crowd and show them we're in the game to perform and show everyone how committed we are to success for the club. I think that's really vital."

Team news

Sean Longstaff has been ruled out once again, despite making 'good progress', while Jacob Murphy is a doubt with a groin problem that kept him out of our 2-2 draw at Leeds.

Lewis Miley could make the bench, but Matt Ritchie (knee) and Jamaal Lascelles (calf) won't play again this season, joining Emil Krafth (ACL) and Ryan Fraser (training with our U21s) on the sidelines.

For Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Solly March, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster and Robert Sanchez will miss out alongside Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento, with Julio Enciso likely to be OK despite limping off at Arsenal.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Isak.

For me, the only debate comes in attack. Does Howe start Isak and Wilson again? Could Saint-Maximin return to the side or may we even see a rare start for Gordon?

I can't see the latter happening for such a big game, despite Almiron's struggles at Leeds, but there's a big case for ASM. He often comes alive at St James' Park and is fully fit again, I'm just struggling to see Wilson or Isak dropping out of the side on recent form.

Wilson has seven goals in his last five games, with his third brace in his last four appearances coming in last Saturday. I don't see him being dropped. The same goes for Isak. He's been on the fringes of the game when starting on the left, so the challenge will be to harness his game-changing quality wherever he crops up.

With Willock and Joelinton effective down the left, we could see them drift into wide areas, allowing Isak to adopt more of a free role behind Wilson? That could be a risk-reward strategy against an impressive Brighton midfield, but it may be one to watch.

Prediction

The atmosphere will be electric. For all the talk of 'Brighton are brilliant' - which they are on their day - we must remember how tough it will be for them. A Champions League finish is within our grasp and we won't let it slip without an almighty fit.

Our full-backs will need to be on it against the lively Mitoma and Enciso and our midfield must regain that balance we've often lacked without Longstaff. Howe must also win the tactical battle against the impressive De Zerbi; although we've rarely seen him get it wrong at SJP.

Cool heads are needed, along with ferocious support from the stands, plenty of patience and a smart tactical plan, but I'm backing the lads to take a major step towards securing top four tonight.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brighton

HWTL!