“This is a big game” - Paul Merson predicts Newcastle vs Brighton

It's another massive game for Newcastle United this weekend as Brighton and Hove Albion come to St James' Park.

The Seagulls are chasing Europe while Newcastle are chasing ... well, dignity at this point. 

Beyond what it means for the league table, Newcastle absolutely need to get something out of this game just to stop the rot. After five straight defeats, Eddie Howe really needs to pull something out of the bag.

It won't be easy, though, as Brighton have had Newcastle's number in the Premier League for a long time now, with Eddie Howe failing to win against the south coast side since a 4-1 win in 2023. That's six meetings without a win now.

Newcastle won't have enough to win, according to Merson

If Paul Merson's prediction for Sportskeeda comes to pass, that will stretch to seven on Saturday as the former Arsenal man doesn't see Newcastle coming away with three points.

"This is the kind of game that can add more pressure on Newcastle. They lost to Bournemouth in their last home game and here, the fans would be sitting and thinking, 'how are the likes of Sunderland and Crystal Palace above us in the table?'.

"These are teams that Newcastle are expected to finish ahead of in the Premier League. If they don't manage to be in front of Sunderland by the end of the season, I think the fans will be extremely unhappy.

"I don't think Newcastle are as bad as the table suggests though. On their day, they can give anybody a hard time. I thought they did fine against Arsenal last weekend. Yoane Wissa should have scored but he didn't and they lost that game 1-0.

"Newcastle have been really unlucky with injuries and it could have been a different story for them, if they had all them players available at crucial times.

"This is a big game for Brighton. If they win, that opens up a route to Champions League qualification. However, I don't think they will get three points here. I'm going for a draw.

"Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion"

Would you take a draw?

It might sound a bit negative, but honestly, we'd take the draw. At least it's not a defeat. In our view, it still counts as a positive step.

Brighton are fighting to get into the Champions League places. They are a bogey team of ours, so a draw would almost feel like a victory at this point, especially given how poorly we've been playing of late.

Obviously, we'd much prefer the win so we can close the gap to that lot down teh A19 because if they finish above us in the league after doing the double over us, they are going to be beyond insufferable.