Newcastle vs Brighton Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 English Premier League
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When is Newcastle vs Brighton on and what time does it start? Newcastle vs Brighton will take place on Thursday 18th May, 2023 – 19:30 (UK)
THE LOWDOWN
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle have Callum Wilson’s efficiency from the spot to thank for their point gained against Leeds last time out, although with just one point gained from their last two Premier League encounters, the Tyneside outfit are nervously looking over their shoulder as they seek to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football ahead of next season.
After going behind to an early Luke Ayling goal, things could have got much worse for the visitors had Nick Pope not saved Patrick Bamford’s penalty just before the half-hour mark. That clearly sprung Eddie Howe’s men into action and their probing was rewarded when Alexander Isak was brought down in the area. Up stepped an in-form Wilson to level matters, and the English striker was at it again from the spot in the second half after Junior Firpo was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. A deflected Rasmus Kristensen strike restored parity with a little over ten minutes remaining, ensuring a share of the spoils at Elland Road.
The two dropped points means that Newcastle must win two of their last three games of the season to absolutely guarantee a much-coveted top-four spot. Although the Saudi-owned club are undoubtedly ahead of schedule in their bid to become a footballing superpower, failure to secure Champions League football would leave a bitter taste in the mouth after what has been an excellent season.
BRIGHTON
Brighton’s 1-5 defeat to relegation-threatened Everton has to go down as one of the most unexpected results of the season given that the Seagulls beat both Man Utd and Arsenal either side of that loss. That win over the Gunners last Sunday was a huge boost to Roberto De Zerbi’s hopes of taking his team into Europe next season, while at the same time it effectively ended Arsenal’s faltering title ambitions.
The game was evenly-balanced until the 51st minute when Julio Enciso’s header broke the deadlock to give Brighton a deserved lead, and two late goals from Denis Undav and the impressive Pervis Estupinan left the Emirates crowd heading for the exit. The travelling Brighton faithful, meanwhile, were in fine voice at the end of the contest as they showed their appreciation for a team that is clearly heading in the right direction.
Brighton are the only team in the Premier League who still have four games to play before the end of the season, and although it is only a very slim chance, the prospect of finishing in the top four is still a mathematical possibility should the teams above them drop points and they fulfil their end of the bargain. A Europa League spot would be an excellent second prize though, in what has been a superb start to De Zerbi’s tenure.
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE
Defenders Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are unlikely to feature again this season while the same can be said for Matt Ritchie. Sean Longstaff is a major concern with a foot injury after having missed the last three games, and will need to be assessed ahead of kick-off.
Eddie Howe’s big decision with regards to his starting line-up is whether to stick with both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the front three, as fielding both hasn’t quite clicked yet. If Sean Longstaff was to recover, which at this stage looks unlikely, then he could play in the midfield three and allow for Joelinton to play further forward as he has done many times this season. Allan Saint-Maximin is another option on the left should Howe revert to one of Wilson or Isak in the central striker role. Wilson has the goals to his name recently, while Isak has arguably been more impressive with this all-round play.
Elsewhere, Jacob Murphy – an unused substitute against Leeds – may be preferred to Miguel Almiron on the right of the front three should Howe wish to make further alterations.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Saint-Maximin
UNAVAILABLE: Lascelles (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Ritchie (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: S. Longstaff (Injured), Fraser (Out of favour)
BRIGHTON
Adam Webster, Tariq Lampter, Jakub Moder, Adam Lallana, Solly March and Jeremy Sarmiento will not be involved in the squad for this fixture. Joel Veltman’s recovery has taken longer than expected and he remains a doubt, while Julio Enciso picked up a knock against Arsenal but it is not thought to be serious.
Moises Caicedo has been excellent at right-back recently so that could see Pascal Gross continue their partnership in the defensive midfield pivot. Alexis Mac Allister has been deployed in both the six and the ten position in recent weeks but the more advanced role looks likely here given the injuries in the squad. Julio Enciso was on the scoresheet against Arsenal and will likely be given another start should he shake off his knock, while Danny Welbeck, Deniz Undav and Evan Ferguson will compete to lead the line.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Steele; Caicedo, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour; Enciso, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Welbeck
UNAVAILABLE: Webster (Injured), Lamptey (Injured), Moder (Injured), Lallana (Injured), March (Injured), Sarmiento (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Veltman (Injured), Enciso (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Both teams harbour European hopes and will see this as a vital fixture when it comes to their placing at the end of the season. Brighton come into this on a high high off the back of their dismantling of Arsenal and will bring attacking intent to St. James’ Park, but Newcastle are generally difficult to beat on home turf and will be confident of managing the storm. A highly competitive affair between two impressive sides is expected, with a share of the spoils looking like a strong possibility.
TIP: DRAW