Newcastle versus Brighton predictions: There’s nothing like home for the Magpies. As the two sides prepare to face off at St James’ Park on Saturday, Newcastle is only one goal behind Brighton.
The Magpies have not lost at home since January, but Brighton will be encouraged by the manner of their comeback victory over Tottenham before to the international break.
Team news
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is hoping to have forwards Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson available after they returned to training this week.
The Magpies are still missing Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, and Kieran Trippier.
Central defender Jan Paul van Hecke has returned to Albion training ahead of schedule, which is encouraging given Adam Webster’s (hamstring) absence.
Van Hecke, James Milner, and Simon Adingra are all still in doubt. Solly March, Joao Pedro, and Matt O’Riley remain out. United have won seven of their past ten home games in all competitions, making them unbeaten in their last 12.
They last failed to score at St James’ Park during a Premier League match in May 2023. Seven of the Magpies’ nine games this season have resulted in one or less goals.
Brighton have surrendered 10 goals in their previous four games (at least two in each), after conceding only two in their first five.
This season, St James’ Park has remained a fortress, with Newcastle unbeaten in four home games, winning three and drawing one against champions Manchester City.
They have not lost at home since January, and if the goals have dried up, they have become much more difficult to break down, conceding only seven goals.
Brighton are marginally flakier, having shipped 10 goals — the worst record in the top half of the division — and conceding at least two in each of their last four games.
Fabian Hurzeler’s structured side will pose questions to Newcastle, but the home team should have the answers.
Indeed, they may have some welcome firepower returning, with both Wilson.
and Isak began training this week following layoffs. Newcastle do not create many chances, but they are significantly more considered than in Howe’s early days, which makes them much more difficult to beat.
And they have demonstrated, after falling down against Bournemouth, Wolves, and Manchester City, that they have the attacking options to get back into games.
Brighton are too good a team to allow Newcastle to have too many attacking opportunities, and the notion that this is a high-scorer contradicts the home team’s stats, but they are very good at home and can achieve a well-deserved victory.
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