- Newcastle have lost both of their last two home games, including a 1-2 defeat to fellow strugglers AFC Bournemouth.
- Brighton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games (W4, D1).
- Brighton have won three and drawn two of the last five Premier League head-to-heads.
Toon target for the Seagulls
Brighton’s hot form means that the Seagulls are well placed to extend their good run and take another victory on the road when they take on Newcastle at St James' Park.
Fabian Hürzeler’s new-look Seagulls are currently unbeaten in five Premier League matches (W4, D1) and have won two and drawn one of their last three away league games. That run has moved them into sixth spot in the table with 50 points from 34 games, while Newcastle are 14th with 42 points from the same amount of fixtures.
Hürzeler’s Seagulls are a different side, with a much higher pressing line and a different structure when in possession. The tactician’s players know their roles, stay in their positions and put in a great deal of effort to press, press and press again. Our Newcastle vs Brighton prediction is that they are a hard team to play against and have proven they know how to get the ball into wide areas to stretch opposition defences.
Danny’s goals have made all the difference
Danny Welbeck has 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season, topping the scoring charts for the Sussex club by a considerable margin. The veteran forward has scored three of Brighton’s goals in their latest five-game unbeaten run and his goals have contributed to a 10-goal surge in that period.
The best odds are on for a Brighton win in this game, with the visitors being offered at 2.73 given their recent form and Newcastle’s poor record against them at home. This Newcastle vs Brighton preview suggests that Eddie Howe’s team have failed to win each of their last three at St James' and their home record for the season stands at W8, D2, L7 in the Premier League.
Newcastle have lost their last four consecutive games and have won just one of their last five, so the visitors are well-priced to get another away win here. Our Newcastle vs Brighton prediction is that Brighton's high-pressing game should also lead to an entertaining end-to-end game with both teams to score - yes and over 2.5 goals both rated well at 1.54 and 1.76, respectively. Additionally, this Newcastle vs Brighton betting tips section highlights the value in backing goals and away success.
Howe’s transition tactics have hit a rough patch
Howe’s system of attacking in the second wave is a high-risk strategy that requires his team to hit opponents quickly and efficiently from turnovers. The Newcastle vs Brighton prediction points out that they overload wide areas and play a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 system that has flattered to deceive over the last month.
Howe’s focus on vertical transition football and attacking the wide zones in the final third have failed to work as well in recent weeks because opponents are regularly bypassing Newcastle's press.
Newcastle’s top scorer this season has been Bruno Guimaraes with nine goals in 25 Premier League appearances. Anthony Gordon has scored two of their four goals in the past five games, making him the Toon’s most reliable goal threat during their poor run.
