Brighton host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday with both sides aiming for European qualification.
The Magpies are one of five teams competing for the final three Champions League spots and will be hoping their rivals slip up. Brighton, meanwhile, could still qualify for the Europa League. They sit in ninth place going into this weekend’s fixtures.
The main concern for the Seagulls is their form. Brighton secured their first Premier League win in six matches last time out, with Carlos Baleba’s stunning last-minute strike seeing them defeat West Ham 3-2.
Newcastle are a step above West Ham though and have won five of their last six matches in the Premier League. They bounced back from their 4-1 mauling at the hands of Aston Villa by defeating relegated Ipswich Town 3-0 in their last fixture.
BRIGHTON VS NEWCASTLE UNITED PREVIEW
Brighton have already beaten Newcastle twice this season, once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.
A Danny Welbeck goal on 35 minutes was enough to defeat Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Premier League back in October.
In March, Welbeck scored an extra-time winner as Brighton knocked the Magpies out of the FA Cup at the fifth-round stage.
This match is the first time Brighton have hosted Newcastle this campaign. Last season, an Evan Ferguson hat-trick guided the Seagulls to a 3-1 win.
Joao Pedro is suspended for Brighton and won’t feature. Injury doubts include Igor (thigh), James Milner (hamstring) and Jan Paul van Hecke (head).
Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Georginio Rutter (ankle) and Adam Webster (thigh) are definitely out.
For Newcastle, Joelinton and Matt Targett are doubts with knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Lewis Hall (ankle) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) are both out.
BRIGHTON VS NEWCASTLE UNITED – PREDICTIONS
Brighton Win
The Seagulls have already beaten Newcastle twice this season, both at St James’ Park. They are looking for their third-ever league double over the North-East side. They will also have confidence following their last-gasp win against West Ham last time out.
Draw
Newcastle may be higher in the league, but Brighton have home advantage and the recent head-to-head record. All of this may see the two teams cancel each other out.
Newcastle United Win
The Magpies are a team in form, having won five of their last six Premier League games. They bounced back from their defeat to Aston Villa by beating Ipswich last time out. The battle for a top-five spot is ultra-competitive and they will know they cannot afford to drop points.
PREMIER LEAGUE – TOP SCORER
| # | Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mohamed Salah |
Liverpool FC | 28 | 17 | 36 |
| 2 |
Alexander Isak |
Newcastle United FC | 23 | 6 | 33 |
| 3 |
Erling Haaland |
Manchester City FC | 21 | 3 | 30 |
| 4 |
Chris Wood |
Nottingham Forest FC | 20 | 3 | 34 |
| 5 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
Brentford FC | 18 | 8 | 36 |
BRIGHTON VS NEWCASTLE UNITED – BETTING TIPS
Over 2.5 Goals
Brighton and Tottenham are the only two teams in the Premier League that have both scored and conceded more than 55 goals. Brighton have scored 56 and conceded 55. All five of Brighton’s games in April had over 2.5 goals including their 3-2 win against West Ham last time out. Indeed, Brighton’s last 11 Premier League games all had over 2.5 goals.
Similar can be said for Newcastle – all six of their games in April also had over 2.5 goals. They have also scored 46 league goals since mid-December. Under manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle have won 27 Premier League games by a margin of three goals or more. All of this points to a high-scoring affair.
Alexander Isak to Score
He may have gone off the boil recently, but Isak has scored twice in his last three games, including a penalty against Ipswich last time out. With Brighton’s defence weakened through injury, it would not be a surprise if he capitalises here. He will be looking to equal Alan Shearer’s return of 23 Premier League goals in a single season (1999-2000 and 2002-03). He needs just one more strike to do this. He is only three goals off Shearer’s all-time Newcastle record for a single season, set in 1996-97. However, it is worth noting that Brighton are the only team he has played against more than once against whom he has failed to score.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Brighton and Newcastle have played each other 35 times, with the Magpies winning 11. The Seagulls have won 15, while there have been 10 draws.
- Brighton are unbeaten against Newcastle in the last four games in all competitions.
- Brighton are unbeaten in seven home games against Newcastle.
- Newcastle have only beaten Brighton twice in their last 14 encounters in all competitions.
- Newcastle have never beaten Brighton away from home (D4 L3).
- Brighton are looking to complete their third-ever league double over Newcastle, having won this season’s reverse fixture 1-0.
- Should Newcastle win, it will be their 20th victory of the season. The last time they hit this tally, it was under Sir Bobby Robson in 2002-03.
- Newcastle have won 14 of their 19 Premier League matches since mid-December, more than any other side. Only Liverpool have scored more goals in this period (51 to 46 respectively).
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04-05-2025 |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC |
1 - 1 |
Newcastle United FC |
| 19-10-2024 |
Newcastle United FC |
0 - 1 |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC |
| 11-05-2024 |
Newcastle United FC |
1 - 1 |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC |
| 02-09-2023 |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC |
3 - 1 |
Newcastle United FC |
