Brighton (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
After Sunday's devastating defeat to Liverpool, an incredible Champions League draw and quiet deadline day, Newcastle are back in action and bidding to put things right as we travel to Brighton.
Last year, our early season trip to the Amex ended 0-0, with us fortunate to come away with a point after a string of superb saves from Nick Pope. This time around, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a few goals.
Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls often dominate possession and are outstanding on their day, yet they were wide open on the counter last weekend as West Ham came away 3-1 winners. Both sides come into this after defeats and on the back of tough European draws. While we landed PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in the Champions League, Brighton have been grouped alongside Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens in the Europa League.
Back to the game itself, it'll be interesting to see how we approach this one. Pressing from the front and playing a high line may be our style under Eddie Howe, but could that play into their hands? After all, sides who've won at the Amex in recent times have often had joy sitting deeper and striking on the counter, where the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron could cause havoc.
Team news
Eddie Howe has revealed there's a "small chance" Sven Botman plays after scans showed bruising but no serious damage to his ankle. Elsewhere, a "late call" will be made on Joelinton after he too missed training this week.
It remains to be seen if Lewis Hall is fit enough to start and Javier Manquillo is back in training, but Joe Willock and Emil Krafth won't feature once again.
For the hosts, deadline day signing Ansu Fati won't play following his loan move from Barcelona and Danny Welbeck has been ruled out, meaning former Toon target Joao Pedro could return to their side.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
Sven Botman may have a slight chance of making this one, but I can't see Eddie Howe taking the risk. It's not ideal, but Dan Burn has played alongside Fabian Schar before, with the pair forming a formidable partnership over the final few months of the 2021/22 season.
Moving Burn to centre-back creates an opening at left-back. Lewis Hall was described as being "some way short" of match fitness after he was left out of our squad for Liverpool, so I can see Matt Targett coming in for just his third start since September.
It's a rogue suggestion, but I wouldn't be shocked if we played Tino Livramento at right-back to help cope with Mitoma's pace, which Trippier really struggled with on our last trip to the Amex. That would see our vice captain play at left-back; a position he's never taken up for Newcastle but one he's experienced on several occasions for England.
I expect the midfield to stay the same if Joelinton passes his late fitness test. He's a machine so I'm backing him to be OK, but it'll be between Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson if big Joe misses out.
In attack I am torn. Does Howe stick by Miggy or bring in Harvey Barnes, which would see Gordon play down the right? A part of me expects him to stand by Almiron - who was unlucky not to score twice last weekend - but Barnes and Gordon could be devastating on the counter.
Callum Wilson is yet to start any of our four league games, but is this the time when Isak's pace and dribbling may be our biggest weapon on the break?
Predicted Brighton XI: Steele - Milner, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinian - Gross, Dahoud - March, Joao Pedro, Mitoma - Ferguson.
One to watch: Karou Mitoma - The Japanese winger has proven to be unplayable on his day and is flanked by all-action left-back Pervis Estupinian. Trippier and our right winger will have their hands full, but this could create openings at the other end if they overcommit. Hopefully we win the battle down that side.
Prediction
A tough test and a big game for both after losses in our last Premier League outing. We have a habit under Eddie Howe of responding to damaging defeats and I think we'll cause them problems.
Standing up to the test defensively could be tough without Botman, yet I see us causing chaos on the counter and posing much more of a threat than we did at Man City. Barnes and Isak to score in a score draw on the South Coast.
Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Newcastle
HWTL!
