Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United

Amex Stadium sets the stage for a handsomely-looking Premier League meeting between Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United.

Brighton pulled off an epic comeback last weekend, netting twice beyond the 85-minute mark to topple West Ham 3-2 and halt a dismal five-game winless run in the Premier League (D2, L3). It’s not been the campaign manager Fabian Hurzeler had expected when he replaced Roberto De Zerbi, yet the East Sussex outfit can still secure European qualification. Despite Newcastle’s household status, Brighton will likely look forward to this meeting after beating the Magpies twice in all competitions this season, including a slender 1-0 win in October’s reverse H2H. As a result, they can beat the same opposition three times in one campaign for the first time since achieving that feat against Wycombe Wanderers in 2009/10. However, an indifferent form across their last three home league outings (W1, D1, L1) suggests this game can go either way.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe marked his return to the dugout after staying in the hospital with pneumonia with a 3-0 thrashing of relegated Ipswich Town last weekend as Newcastle made it six wins from their past seven games (L1). The visitors are firmly in the race for a second Champions League qualification in three years. They commenced this round in third, having won 19 league matches this term. Another victory would see them rack up 20 for the first time since collecting 21 under Sir Bobby Robson in the 2002/03 season. However, they must banish the memory of a 4-1 rout at the hands of Aston Villa on their last league travel.