Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

St James’ Park forms the backdrop for a tasty-looking Premier League showdown between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle United couldn’t believe their misfortune when Anthony Gordon wasted a penalty in a tepid 0-0 draw against Everton right before the international break. October’s pause has come at an opportune moment for Eddie Howe’s side, giving them a fortnight to lick their wounds and regroup following a three-match winless league streak (D2, L1). A 1-1 draw against perennial champions Manchester City was part of that run. Yet, it’s worth noting that the Magpies had won two consecutive home league outings before that stalemate, making it 11 unbeaten Premier League matches at St James’ Park on the spin (W5, D6). Howe’s team bagged 2+ goals on seven occasions during that sequence, but that’s a feat they’ve only achieved twice in seven previous top-flight home clashes against Brighton.

Indeed, the Seagulls have impressively kept a clean sheet on four Premier League visits to Tyneside since earning promotion in 2017, though their most recent away H2H ended 1-1. Fabian Hurzeler’s men will travel with confidence after pulling off a sensational second-half comeback to beat Tottenham 3-2 at home last time out. It was a perfect response following a 4-2 defeat at Chelsea on their most recent league travel, which remains their solitary loss under the 31-year-old manager in all competitions (W5, D3). However, the Seagulls have blown hot and cold on the road this term (W1, D1, L1), with two of those three matches seeing the opening goal arrive before the half-hour mark.