There’s no getting away from it. Tonight feels absolutely massive.
Like so many on Tyneside, I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. Social media has been filled with anxious Newcastle fans all week, with nerves not helped by Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Leicester on Monday – a win that sent them one point behind Eddie Howe’s Mags and a few steps closer on goal difference.
It’s easy to worry about Jurgen Klopp’s Reds or the fact Brighton went to the Emirates and won 3-0 on Sunday, but we need to focus on ourselves. Let’s focus on the fact St James’ Park has been fortress all season, the fact we nearly always bounce back from setbacks and perform under the lights when we really need to.
Win tonight and it doesn’t matter what Liverpool do at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, as a victory over Leicester on Monday night would make certain of a top-four finish. Three games left, six points needed and a huge chance to get it done over the next five days.
Drawing from a winning position at Leeds was frustrating, yet I don’t buy this argument that we’re fading. We’ve won eight of our last 11 games. Yes, we’ve missed Longstaff and aren’t keeping clean sheets like we once were, but it wasn’t long ago we beat Spurs, Everton and Southampton by an aggregate score of 13-3. Keep the faith.
Here’s what Eddie Howe’s had to say ahead of tonight’s 7.30pm kick-off:
“It’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s going to be a really good game between two excellent teams. I’ve got a lot of respect for Brighton and what they’ve done this season and how they play. It’s going to be a tough assignment for us but one, at home, we’re not fearful of.
“Especially at home it’s absolutely crucial that we try and involve the crowd and show them we’re in the game to perform and show everyone how committed we are to success for the club. I think that’s really vital.”
Team news
Sean Longstaff has been ruled out once again, despite making ‘good progress’, while Jacob Murphy is a doubt with a groin problem that kept him out of our 2-2 draw at Leeds.
Lewis Miley could make the bench, but Matt Ritchie (knee) and Jamaal Lascelles (calf) won’t play again this season, joining Emil Krafth (ACL) and Ryan Fraser (training with our U21s) on the sidelines.
For Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Solly March, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster and Robert Sanchez will miss out alongside Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento, with Julio Enciso likely to be OK despite limping off at Arsenal.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Isak.
For me, the only debate comes in attack. Does Howe start Isak and Wilson again? Could Saint-Maximin return to the side or may we even see a rare start for Gordon?
I can’t see the latter happening for such a big game, despite Almiron’s struggles at Leeds, but there’s a big case for ASM. He often comes alive at St James’ Park and is fully fit again, I’m just struggling to see Wilson or Isak dropping out of the side on recent form.
Wilson has seven goals in his last five games, with his third brace in his last four appearances coming in last Saturday. I don’t see him being dropped. The same goes for Isak. He’s been on the fringes of the game when starting on the left, so the challenge will be to harness his game-changing quality wherever he crops up.
With Willock and Joelinton effective down the left, we could see them drift into wide areas, allowing Isak to adopt more of a free role behind Wilson? That could be a risk-reward strategy against an impressive Brighton midfield, but it may be one to watch.
Prediction
The atmosphere will be electric. For all the talk of ‘Brighton are brilliant’ – which they are on their day – we must remember how tough it will be for them. A Champions League finish is within our grasp and we won’t let it slip without an almighty fit.
Our full-backs will need to be on it against the lively Mitoma and Enciso and our midfield must regain that balance we’ve often lacked without Longstaff. Howe must also win the tactical battle against the impressive De Zerbi; although we’ve rarely seen him get it wrong at SJP.
Cool heads are needed, along with ferocious support from the stands, plenty of patience and a smart tactical plan, but I’m backing the lads to take a major step towards securing top four tonight.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brighton
HWTL!
Eddie Howe as a manager against Brighton in league games – with Burnley, Bournemouth and Newcastle – has lost one game in 15! – and that was in Bournemouth’s relegation season. 4-0 win tonight.
Harry Bitton(Quote)
Has to be St Max over Almiron as he can upset more organised defences but he needs to put a real shift in.
First goal tonight will be crucial.
Newcastle always seem to put us through the mincer so anything can happen.
Joseph(Quote)
I watched Brighton against Everton and Evertons success came by getting the ball forward quickly – playing long balls for the wingers & forwards to run at their defence.
It may be seen as hoof ball, but it was extremely effective in cutting out their midfield – which has been what they have built their success on this season.
I would play Maxi on the left & Isak on the right with Wilson through the middle and encourage the ball to be played up to them as quickly & as often as possible.
Willock will bomb forward & support those 3 and Joelinton & Bruno can make sure they stop the counter attacks.
That’s how I’d see it anyway.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know the foolhardy would say we have to stick to our game plan & stick with how we’ve played all season – especially at SJP.
But that’s what Arsenal did at the Emirates & look what Brighton did to them 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
We’ve started so well here – but we’ve got to be more composed & make more from these errors we are forcing them to make.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good start .. wasteful shooting
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
FINALLY A CORNER PAYS OFF
kimtoon(Quote)
Yessssss
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Well we scored from a corner 🤷🏼♂️😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s a stonewall fkin penalty
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
And that was a clear foul on the box edge
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Get innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnBurn
kimtoon(Quote)
Does Eddie Howe read this blog 😂😂
Goal from a set piece 🤑🤑
Sharpy17(Quote)
Get in that’s how to respond to their 5h1thousing
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
So that was a pretty competent 1st half and two nowt feels about right. Almiron and joelinton playing well
Hard to separate my anxiety from reality if Brighton push on
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Howe needs to calm Bruno down at HT – worry he could get sent off.
We’ve been excellent that first half – pressing hard & pressuring them into mistakes.
People will know I’m not Miggys biggest fan, but there’s not many players press as well as he does to be fair – I wish he had a right foot though!!.
This is a great example of why we need to improve our set pieces – THEY WIN GAMES!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s offside
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
Bl00dy Miggy man!!!
Awful defending as well 😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnCallum lad
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done Miggy too
kimtoon(Quote)
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNO
GAME OVER
kimtoon(Quote)
Didn’t enjoy much of that 2nd half and coz of bl00dy var I couldn’t even celebrate Wilson’s goal coz I thought he was offside
A win against Leicester away from CL.. almost dreamland
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Had to watch in a bar in Edinburgh tonight, so wasn’t online. Great result. Very nervy at 2-1 though. One more win. One more win
A few worrying injuries though. Midfield too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah Willock looks done for sure and Joe limping and noticed Tripps feeling back of his leg at one point.
kimtoon(Quote)
I hammer Miggy at times but he was outstanding tonight – all of them were to be fair but he stood out in the press.
That felt more like a final home game of the season – what a game & what an atmosphere!!.
Howe & his coaching team deserve so much credit too – they’ve done a great job with the players this week. Clearly worked on the press & set pieces.
Love it!!
Sharpy17(Quote)