Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United Preview

[Ragatino]

Team news
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is fit again after recovering from the head injury he sustained at Brentford two weeks ago.

Adam Webster should also be involved, while Igor Julio, Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman provide further options in defence.

Newcastle midfielder Joelinton has returned to Brazil with a minor knee issue and is unlikely to feature again this season.

Defensive trio Lewis Hall, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett remain sidelined.

Match facts
Head-to-head

Brighton are unbeaten in all seven of their Premier League home games with Newcastle (W3, D4).

The Seagulls are vying to complete a third league double over the Magpies, following the 1978-79 second tier season and 2020-21 in the Premier League.

Newcastle's last win at the Amex Stadium was in the 2016-17 Championship season, when both sides achieved automatic promotion to the top flight.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have lost just one of their past eight home games in all competitions, winning five and drawing two.

Fabian Hurzeler's side ended a run of six fixtures without a league and cup victory by defeating West Ham 3-2 at the Amex last weekend.

Brighton's last 11 matches have produced 45 goals, at an average of 4.1 per game.

The Seagulls have scored and conceded at least 55 Premier League goals this season, with Tottenham the only other side to do this.

The south coast side have claimed 17 points from losing position this term, their best record in a Premier League season.

Kaoru Mitoma could score in three successive Premier League appearances for the first time. His last two goals have been scored as a substitute.

Newcastle United

Newcastle have won seven of their past eight matches in all competitions.

The Magpies are attempting to win their 20th Premier League game of the campaign, a feat they last achieved 22 years ago under Sir Bobby Robson.

Two of Newcastle's last three defeats in all competitions have come away ? the other was at home to Brighton in the FA Cup.

They have dropped just seven points from winning positions in the top flight this season, fewer than any other side.

Alexander Isak has scored 22 Premier League goals this season, the most of any Newcastle player in a top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04.

[Jammy89]

A win would be paramount here but Brighton have been a bit of a bogey team for us :|

Big Joe is a big loss, I'd like to see Miley in there as a replacement but Eddie has favoured Little Joe recently.

[Ragatino]

The Brighton Midfield are more dynamic and we'll be playing without the ball for the most part so Willock's ability to run the ball and move the team up the field will suit this match more than Miley. However, I'm sure we'll see the young man later in the 2nd half.