Brighton pulled off a significant 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on matchday No. 1. Now, the Seagulls host Newcastle United for their first home match of the new campaign.
Newcastle United also picked up a 2-0 win against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on matchday No. 1. Eddie Howe’s side will face tougher opponents and Brighton will provide a strong challenge.
Seagulls manager Graham Potter’s tactics to defeat Manchester United was to play the ball over the top and to challenge the Red Devils’ poor centre-backs. Howe will have to devise a way to stop Brighton from simply playing the ball over the top of the defence.
Brighton have edged the head-to-head matches with Newcastle United over the course of the last six meetings in all competitions. The Seagulls have a 2W-3D-1L record against the Magpies in their lats six games.
Last season, Newcastle United went unbeaten against Brighton in the Premier League. The teams drew 1-1 at the Amex Stadium before the Magpies won 2-1 at St. James’ Park.
Opening day of the Premier League saw home teams win four of the 10 Premier League games. Meanwhile, four away sides claimed victories on the first weekend of action. Home-field advantage didn’t make much of a difference.
Potter has just one player injury to be concerned with ahead of Saturday’s game. Jakub Moder has a knee injury which will rule him out until February.
Although striker Neal Maupay has received attention from teams across Europe in the transfer market, the forward is still a Brighton player.
Brighton have sold a number of key players this season with Marc Cucurella joining Chelea and Yves Bissouma going to Tottenham.
Danny Welbeck played as the team’s lone striker versus Manchester United with Pascal Gross and Adam Lallana supporting him. Gross scored twice versus Manchester United.
Newcastle United manager Howe has a number of injury problems. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, defender Javier Manquillo, defender Federico Fernandez, defender Jamal Lewis, defender Jamaal Lascelles are all nursing injuries. All six players are set to miss the game on Saturday.
Howe used a 4-3-3 formation against Nottingham Forest with Callum Wilson leading the line. Wilson scored a cracking goal against the Reds to seal the victory after Fabian Schar’s opener. Howe could give summer signing Sven Botman a first Premier League start versus Brighton.
Newcastle United looked good against Nottingham Forest and go into Saturday’s away match having gone unbeaten versus Brighton in the league last term.
The Magpies should pick up a 1-0 win away from home as they make it six points from six on offer. Callum Wilson could get on the scoresheet once more. Wilson has scored four times in nine matches versus Brighton previously.