Before I preview this weekend’s game, I’d like to pay tribute to Andrew Macfarlane; a hidden but huge part of NUFC Blog who is sadly no longer with us following his tragic death a fortnight ago. We’ll miss you, Andy.
It feels like an age since our frustrating 0-0 draw at Everton thanks to another dull international break, although that did bring some good news as the FA ended any Eddie Howe speculation by appointing Thomas Tuchel instead. Phew.
Moving to Saturday’s clash with Brighton, it feels like the start of a tough run and potentially defining period of our season, with Chelsea (in the league and cup), Arsenal and a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest set to follow.
Yankuba Minteh will play his first game at St James’ Park but the big news from a Newcastle perspective is Alexander Isak’s return from a toe issue and an injury-free international break.
We’ve been strong at home so far this season, beating Southampton with 10 men, Spurs 2-1 and playing well in a 1-1 draw with Man City and will be hoping to keep that going against a tricky Brighton side who score goals and test you tactically, but also leave plenty of space in behind should they continue with that high line.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match comments
“It was a good break. We gave them some time off at the start of the week and then trained hard. We have worked on quite a lot. Everyone has come back in a good place. The only one we haven’t seen back is Miggy (Almirón), he flew back into the country yesterday.”
“There are some tough games in there, great challenges for us. It’s a great stage of the season to hopefully hit our top form. The group of games we have to come; three at home and some tough away games. We haven’t hit top gear, but we have been resilient and hard to beat, but we do need to find our best form to get some good results from these matches.”
“Brighton are a difficult opponent – I think they have been historically for us. We have won some, but we have lost some. They are very progressive, very attacking. I think it will be a good game between two very open teams.”
Team news
Alexander Isak (toe) is back and has “looked good” in training, Kieran Trippier (hamstring) will be out for a “few weeks” and Callum Wilson (back) has trained but won’t be available for this one.
Lewis Miley is back in training following a broken foot but will be eased back in and Martin Dubravka (bruised knee) is back in training after missing Slovakia’s Nations League games. Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.
For Brighton, star man Joao Pedro, Matt O’Riley, Adam Webster and former Mag James Milner will miss out, but centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and winger Simon Adingra look set to return.
Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
With no new injuries to report, Isak fit again and Trippier ruled out, the team may pick itself this weekend, seeing Livramento return at right-back and Murphy drop out of the side.
It’ll be interesting to see who starts down the left if Gordon and Barnes are either side of Isak, while that LCM spot could be up for debate now Willock is fit again. That said, Joelinton tends to up his game at home and may get the nod again.
Match prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Brighton
Brighton score goals and it’s vital we contain their big threats out wide in Mitoma and Minteh, but they’ve conceded 10 in their last four games, they play a high line and their insistence on playing out from the back could play right into our hands, especially if our front three are on song and pressing from the off.
I think we’ll see Isak back to his best, an open game of goals and a big win for Newcastle, giving us a big boost ahead of a crucial double-header against Chelsea.
HWTL!
3-1 😮 optimistic that innit?!
Tough game this one – the next 4 games are going to be difficult actually.
I’m hoping to see better performances from some of our key players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
This will be tricky, hopefully home advantage helps and Minteh has an off day.
RIP Andrew.
kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks for the article Olly, and RIP, Andrew!
This will be another tough game and it’s about time the lads sort out their form. I think we will have too much for Brighton at home.
Anyone see what Gordon has done? He put a lump of cash behind the bar at the strawberry for drinks for fans to thank you for the support after his pen miss. What a bloke. Not seen this before from any player. I can see him scoring today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t think Howe rates Barnes,Murphy in again,strange
Icedog(Quote)
Another competitor for European comps so a win today is very much required.
Not sure what the fascination with Murphy over Barnes is unless Howe wants a game changer to bring in.
Well well well .. see that the alleged superstar minteh is not even in Brighton’s squad ??
HTL
Jonesy(Quote)
Still got a better return than Murphy or Miggy though
PremAndUp(Quote)
FFS
That’s what we get for fluffing our chances.
kimtoon(Quote)
Too many wasted chances in that first half. Then a sucker punch.
Good attacking football on the whole, but o m g , Isak should’ve buried those chances.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
How many chances we gonna fluff
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye that one goal and assist are well worth a PL points deduction or losing one of the star players for. How’s he compare to Gordon or Barnes ??
Jonesy(Quote)
I’m merely pointing out that a 20 year old in his first season in PL is a better RW than what we have. You’re the one complaining that he’s not a superstar yet. Which nobody claimed he was.
PremAndUp(Quote)
We need some guide dogs on for our forwards. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh, and anyone else think that Brighton should’ve been down to 10 in the first half, that Ayala should’ve had a second yellow. Awful ref.
Gilly Toon(Quote)