Newcastle vs Brighton: Lineups, stats and preview

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Match Preview

Newcastle welcome Brighton to St James’ Park for the second time this season as they clash for a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

The Seagulls have already triumphed once in the North East this season, beating the Magpies 1-0 in October courtesy of a Danny Welbeck goal.

But Eddie Howe is determined to put an end to Newcastle’s endless trophy drought, having made multiple finals and not gotten his team over the line.

Much of the talk around this game has been around whether Alexander Isak will be fit enough to lead the line, and Howe admitted Newcastle stand a much better chance against Brighton with him available.

He said: “I think with Alex, it is pretty clear for me, if he is fit in any game leading up to the EFL Cup final then he will play and we have to have that mindset with all of our players.

“You can’t save players as they will lose rhythm. The best thing for a player to stay in good form and to stay fit is to play them and that’s what we will try to do with all of our players.”

“I think naturally when he is not playing, the team has a totally different look. It’s still a team that can be successful but they will have to do it in a different way.

“Alex has standout qualities. We have moulded our game to his qualities. He is an outstanding talent and he possesses skills and abilities and a way of playing that makes us better in my opinion and that’s no disrespect to anyone we have.”

Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is on a mission to make fans proud of the club, although he stopped short of promising a title.

He added:”First of all, that’s my job. I always try to give everything for the club and, of course, I always want the club to be the most successful we can be.

“That’s my job, together with the staff and players, and therefore we try that.

“We promise everyone that we will try to give everything on the pitch and beside the pitch to make them proud, but we can’t promise to win a title.

“That’s the thing that we to work on and the thing we try to do in our daily behaviour and then we will see what will come in the future.”

Newcastle vs Brighton team news

There is some good news for Newcastle fans as Howe admitted Isak, Sven Botman and Joelinton could all feature on Sunday.

During his pre-match press conference, he said: “I believe Callum Wilson is ok. He took a cut to his eye but nothing more than that. Fingers crossed he is fine.”

“They [Botman and Joelinton] have a chance [to play on Sunday]. Today is a big day for them. We will see how they are and whether they train with the team for the first time or not. Knowing both players, they will be very keen to be involved.

“We will see today. I haven’t seen him [Isak] since the game. We will see how he is today. We don’t think it’s a long-term problem. There was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can’t be with the stage of the season we’re in.

“There is always a risk with any player but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness. We will see how he is today and if he is fit, he will play.”

Brighton have not had as much luck. They will still be without Joel Veltman, Jason Steele, Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner and Igor Julio.

Captain Lewis Dunk was hoping to make his return against Newcastle, but Hurzeler has confirmed the game on Sunday will be too early.

He said: “So far, there is no other change. Hopefully, it stays like this. Of course we are looking forward to our skipper [Dunk] being back, but I think that the game on Sunday will be a little bit too early.”

Newcastle vs Brighton predicted lineups

Newcastle: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Willock, Guimaraes, Tonali; Murphy, Isak Gordon

Brighton: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinian; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro

How to watch Newcastle vs Brighton: TV channel, online live stream

The match will be shown on ITV1 with coverage starting at 12:45pm. It is also available to stream online in the UK via ITVX and Sky Go.

Newcastle vs Brighton stats

  • Brighton are one of just four teams to triumph at St James’ Park this season, winning 1-0 in October
  • All of Newcastle’s home losses have come against sides below them in the Premier League table, including the Seagulls
  • Brighton have won six of their 14 away games this season, only losing four
  • 17 of Newcastle’s 27 Premier League games have featured three or more goals this term
  • 18 of Brighton’s 27 Premier League games have featured three or more goals this season
  • Newcastle have only failed to score twice at St James’ Park this season
  • Brighton have only failed to score one away from home in 2024-25

Newcastle vs Brighton prediction

It really is anyone’s game on Tyneside this weekend.

Newcastle have shown flashes of the brilliance that earned them a Champions League spot two seasons ago, but the Magpies have also been vulnerable.

Howe’s side actually performed well against Liverpool in midweek, particularly without Isak.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls are finally finding form again under Hurzeler, and will be backing themselves to do the double over their opponents at St James’ Park.

A draw and possibly extra time and penalties could be on the cards, but we are backing the hosts to just edge the South Coast side.

Prediction: Newcastle 3-2 Brighton




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