Brighton & Hove VS Newcastle United Match Prediction

Newcastle were the only Championship side to defeat Brighton home and away last season.  Overall, both teams have two wins each in the four matches played in the last decade.  Here's a look at those results:

Feb 28, 2017: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle
Aug 27, 2016: Newcastle 2-0 Brighton
Jan 5, 2013: Brighton 2-0 Newcastle (FA Cup)
Jan 28, 2012: Brighton 1-0 Newcastle (FA Cup)

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Brighton vs Newcastle Match Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Brighton are at 13/8 to win, a draw is at 21/10, and a Newcastle win is at 7/4.

There is value to be had on both teams in this match, but the best value by the looks of things is with the away side.  Newcastle are in great form at the moment, and they had no distractions in midweek to deal with in the cup.  They also have knowledge of how to beat Brighton as evidenced by last year.

If Newcastle are to win this match away from home, it would mark the first time since November of 2014 that the Magpies have been able to win back-to-back PL matches.  This would give them a huge chance of survival, as well as possibly going on to fight closer to the European places.

Newcastle have made a strong start to grab nine points from five matches.  It's the first they have done that since 2011/12, a season in which they finished in fifth place in, and the last time they got more was in 2001/01.  

Brighton are doing their best to keep alive by being gritty and determined. They have 23 blocks in the opening five matches, good enough for third in the league.  In addition to that, they have played more long balls (378) than any other side besides West Ham.

Could captain center back Jamaal Lascelles make it three games in a row with a goal?  He's got a hot 'head' at the moment, and if he does find the net you can make 11/1 on him at anytime.  

Brighton vs Newcastle Prediction

Newcastle are the form side in the Premier League at the moment, and that magic won't wear off just yet for them.  

Correct Score Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Newcastle

Team News

Chris Hughton will be missing center midfielder Biram Kayal and forwards Isaiah Brown and Sam Baldock due to injuries.  Brown is close to a return, but he is unlikely to feature here. 

Key Man

Pascal Gross has been one of the signings of the season in the Premier League, yet few have ever heard of the man.  Through five matches, he has two goals and two assists.  That might not sound like much compared to others, but to show his importance, he has had a hand in all of the goals that his side have scored in the league thus far.  His importance cannot be overstated, and that is also a weakness for them as they have few options to turn to at the present time.  

Team Form - LLWDW

The Seagulls have two losses, two wins, and a draw in their last five matches. They won 1-0 over Barnet at home in the EFL Cup and the drew 0-0 at Watford back in the league.  Next came a 3-1 home win over West Brom and a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth in the league last weekend.  On Tuesday, they lost 1-0 to the same side in the EFL Cup in extra time.  

Brighton Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-4-1-1

Team News

Rafa Benitez continues to be without injured left back Paul Dummett for this match. Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is also set to miss out due to a suspension, but this will be the last match on his current ban.  

Key Man

The in-form man in the entire Premier League at the moment might just be center back Jamaal Lascelles for the Magpies.  The captain was one of the players that were (assuming a little) called 'Championship' quality, yet he's shown otherwise of late to help propel his team up the table.  Two matches in a row he has come up with a big winner for them, all the while marshaling his team effectively at the back.  Could he strike once again for them?

Team Form - WWWLL

The Magpies have three wins and two losses in their last five matches.  They lost 1-0 away to Huddersfield and then lost 2-3 in extra time to Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. They then picked up a 3-0 win over West Ham at home and a 0-1 win away to Swansea.  Last weekend, they won 2-1 at home to Stoke to make it three wins in a row.  

Newcastle Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

After vastly different ways of coming into the Championship last season, both Brighton and Newcastle still proved to do enough to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League for this season. Brighton had toiled and came close for many years, while Newcastle had just dropped down only to climb back up. Brighton have struggled so far, while Newcastle are currently in great form. After winning away to Brighton last year, and given their current form, we like the Magpies to gain a fourth straight PL victory.

This is the 15th meeting between the teams, but it will be the very first time they have met in the top division of English football.