Newcastle will look to consolidate their place in the top six of the Premier League when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies are seeking revenge against the Seagulls after they suffered a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium back in September, courtesy of an Evan Ferguson hat-trick.
Match preview
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Newcastle may have missed out on a second successive top-four finish this term, but they remain on course to qualify for next season's Europa League following a strong run of form over the last few weeks.
The Magpies ended last season with just one win from their final five matches, but they head down the home straight this term in buoyant mood having won four of their last five games, scoring 14 goals in the process.
A week after thrashing Sheffield United 5-1 on home soil, Newcastle cruised to a 4-1 victory at Burnley last Saturday, with Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes all on the scoresheet in the first half before Alexander Isak netted his 20th Premier League goal of the season after the interval.
Eddie Howe's side currently sit sixth in the table, four points behind an out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur outfit in fifth, while they are just two points ahead of seventh-placed Chelsea and eighth-placed Manchester United with three games left to play.
Newcastle therefore still have work to do to guarantee European football for next season, starting with Saturday's clash against a Brighton side whom they have beaten in their last two home meetings by an aggregate score of 6-2.
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In stark contrast to Newcastle, Brighton looked as if they would be ending the campaign on a whimper and remain in danger of finishing in the bottom half of the table, a year on from securing their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth.
However, the Seagulls ended a six-game winless streak when they claimed three morale-boosting points from a slender 1-0 home victory over top-four hopefuls Aston Villa last weekend. Joao Pedro scored the decisive goal in the 87th-minute, heading home a rebound after seeing his penalty save by Robin Olsen.
Roberto De Zerbi's men have subsequently climbed up to 11th place in the Premier League table, but their hopes of European qualification for next season are hanging by a thread as they sit seven points adrift of seventh-placed Chelsea with only three games remaining.
It is fair to say that Brighton have not enjoyed many of their travels in recent months, as they have won just one of their last 10 away games in all competitions - a 5-0 drubbing of basement club Sheffield United - but their recent record against Newcastle bodes well ahead of Saturday's contest.
Indeed, the Seagulls have only lost two of their last 13 meetings with the Magpies and are bidding to complete their third league double over the North East outfit - previously doing so in 2020-21 and 1978-79.
Team News
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Newcastle will be without Fabian Schar (hamstring), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both ACL), Joe Willock, Matt Targett (both Achilles) and Lewis Miley (back) due to injury, while Kieran Trippier has stepped up his recovery from a calf problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Nick Pope made a welcomed return to the matchday squad for the first time in five months after recovering from a shoulder injury, but it remains to be seen whether he is ready to start in goal ahead of Martin Dubravka.
With two games in four days to prepare for, Howe may consider rotation in a few positions, where possible, with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton - who have both recently recovered from injuries - Harvey Barnes and Elliot Anderson among those pushing for a recall.
As for Brighton, Ferguson (ankle) - hat-trick hero from the reverse fixture - Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Kaoru Mitoma (back), James Milner (thigh) and Pervis Estupinan (calf) all remain in a packed treatment room, while Saturday's game is set to come too soon for Jan Paul van Hecke (thigh) and Adam Lallana (unspecified).
De Zerbi has revealed that Pedro is doubtful with an ankle problem, while both Julio Enciso and Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati "are not at the top of their level of condition" and will therefore need assessing ahead of kickoff.
However, Brighton could be boosted by the return of Tariq Lamptey who has made progress in his recovery from a muscle injury; De Zerbi has confirmed that the full-back is not fit to start but he could be named in the matchday squad.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Igor; Gilmour, Gross; Buonanotte, Moder, Adingra; Welbeck
We say: Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Both teams still have something to play for heading into their remaining fixtures, although you could argue that more is riding on this match for Newcastle, who can boost their Europa League ambitions by claiming a third successive victory this weekend.
Brighton got the better of Newcastle last time out and have found a way to grind out positive results against the Magpies in recent years. However, we believe that Howe's in-form side, who have been scoring goals for fun, will come out on top this time around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
