Brighton and Newcastle boast identical records in the Premier League this term, with both looking to tip the balance in their favour here and climb out of the bottom half.
Match News and Current Form
Following three successive away games across all competitions (W2, D1), Brighton return to the Amex Stadium for the first time in nearly a month. A mere one defeat from their last 11 Premier League home games (W6, D4) suggests it should be a welcome return, and with the Seagulls losing only two of their last 14 league and cup fixtures (W8, D4) since April, they’ve been a picture of consistency of late. Getting back into Europe remains the ultimate goal for Brighton, who have incredibly claimed 30 of their 70 points under Fabian Hürzeler in the Premier League from losing positions, so never write the perennial slow starters off!
Newcastle could be in line to make some English Football League history here, as after drawing their opening three away league games 0-0, they could equal Notts County’s record of 1935/36 as the only side to see each of their first four away league games of the season end goalless. Eddie Howe’s side have struggled on their league travels of late (D4, L2), but after thumping Royale Union SG 4-0 on the road before the break, and following that up with a 2-0 home win against Nottingham Forest, the Magpies could now win three games in a row for the first time since April.
Head-to-Head History
Brighton are yet to lose a Premier League home game against Newcastle (W3, D5) and are unbeaten across the last five H2Hs at any venue (W3, D2). Newcastle's win rate of 13% (W2, D8, L6) is their lowest against any team they have faced 3+ times in the Premier League.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Brighton have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last 19 Premier League games.
Brighton have trailed at half-time in a joint-league high five games this season.
Eight of the 11 goals scored in Newcastle’s Premier League games this season arrived after half-time.
Newcastle have received a joint-league low eight yellow cards this season.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Yankuba Minteh has scored in the first half of both of his previous H2Hs with former club Newcastle and also found the net before half-time in Brighton’s last home game. Nick Woltemade will be targeting a goal in his fourth consecutive Newcastle game across all competitions, but he hasn’t scored an away league goal for the club yet.
Brighton’s Brajan Gruda and Diego Gómez both picked up injuries whilst on international duty. Newcastle will make late calls on Brazilian duo Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton after they returned from a 5500-mile round trip to South Asia on international duty.
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Betting Analysis
With Newcastle’s low-scoring away league games, backing under 2.5 goals could be profitable.
Author: Tom Penn