Paul Merson is tipping us to beat Brighton 1-0 this weekend – however he’s boldly claimed that this is a ‘must win’ game for Rafa Benitez and NUFC.
With us without a win in eight and currently second bottom in the table, it’s clear that this is a HUGE game and a big chance to get our first 3 points of the season – but is it really a ‘must win’?
If we drew on Saturday then beat Southampton and Watford in our next two, I’m pretty sure that would be classed as a brilliant return, so I’m not really buying this myself.
Here’s what he’s had to say ahead of the game during his weekly prediction piece for Sky Sports, claiming this should be ‘like a cup final’ for the club:
“I watched Newcastle three weeks ago against Leicester and they had one shot on target from 60 yards. Then they go to Manchester United and they should have got something from the game. They’ll be kicking themselves that they didn’t get a positive result at Old Trafford. That defeat will have hurt but they can take positives from what was, on the whole, a good performance.
“Brighton are not the best side away from the Amex Stadium. If I’m being totally honest they are very, very poor on the road.
“For that reason I’m going to side with Newcastle in what will be like a cup final for them.
“It’s a must win for Rafael Benitez and his side.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be feeling pretty flat if we didn’t come away with a much needed first win of the season here (especially when you consider Brighton’s poor away record), however I don’t think Rafa will be seeing this as ‘must win’.
Between now and Christmas we play none of the league’s top 6.
Saturday won’t decide our season – the next TEN winnable fixtures will.