Brighton make the lengthy trek north to take on Newcastle at St James’ Park this evening with both teams chasing points to aid their pursuit of European qualification, a captivating contest could be in the works on Tyneside.
Newcastle’s haul of just three wins from their last six matches has put their place in the top four under threat with Robert De Zerbi’s impressive Brighton – who have won three of their last four games – one of the sides closing in on the stuttering Magpies.
Below, we’ve compiled a stats pack for this evening’s fixture which comes equipped with a cavalcade of bet builder tips to take to the bookies. If you need any more pointers, our Stats Pack Guide has got you covered, and remember – you can avail of Betfair’s superb offer for new customers, which includes up to £40 in free bet builder bets by clicking the link.
Newcastle vs Brighton Predicted Lineups
Wilson and Isak to start again?
Newcastle are without the services of Sean Longstaff, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie at present, though of that absent quartet, midfielder Longstaff is the one who would have expected to start today. Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron should fill the three spots in the Magpies’ frontline again.
Caicedo to be deployed at right back again?
Jakub Moder, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarimento, Adam Webster, Solly March, Joel Veltman and Adam Lallana are in the treatment room for Brighton and with so many right backs out of action, either Pascal Gross or Moises Caicedo could be positioned there at St. James’ Park. Levi Colwill should reprise his role at centre-half in Webster’s absence. Julio Enciso is a major doubt and might not take part.
Newcastle vs Brighton Team Stats
Newcastle the division’s corner kings
Newcastle no longer have the Premier League’s best defensive record having conceded four times in their last two assignments, though their numbers at the back remain excellent and only Man City have posted better xG against per 90 figures since August.
At the other end of the pitch, the Magpies have also been doing the business and though they rank modestly in sixth for goals scored, their haul of 22 goals in their last eight games points to a hot streak in the final third. United do top the pile for corners accrued per 90 (7.11) however and they should be a safe inclusion in your Newcastle vs Brighton bet builder to win over 4.5 corners today at 1.44.
Brighton’s attacking prowess is backable
Brighton have outperformed Newcastle for goals, shots, shots on target and xG per 90 this season, and they showcased their dazzling attacking football again last weekend when they put three goals past title-contenders Arsenal.
Amazingly, the Seagulls are the league’s most-potent outfit when it comes to accurate attempts per 90 and their figure of 5.82 even puts them ahead of Manchester City for that metric. Albion are priced at 1.36 to register four or more shots on target against Newcastle this evening.
Newcastle vs Brighton Shots and Shots on Target Stats
Wilson and Isak to threaten again
Newcastle racked up 18 attempts in their last match at Leeds (2-2) and centre-forward Callum Wilson chipped in with five of those efforts himself. The 31-year-old has been maintaining an excellent output this term and at 1.29 to lodge 3+ strikes today, Wilson looks like a strong Newcastle bet builder candidate again.
Alexander Isak has almost been matching Wilson for accuracy despite notching fewer attempts per 90 overall and the Swedish star is priced at 2.20 to test Albion’s Jason Steele with at least two punts this evening.
Brighton have menaces on the flanks
Evan Ferguson, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma and Facundo Buonanotte could form a dynamic front four for Brighton, and all four of those forward-thinkers are capable of hurting Newcastle.
The Magpies are one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive units down the middle, though they can be threatened from the flanks and that in turn makes wingers Mitoma and Buonanotte the ones to watch in the markets. Mitoma is on the grid at 1.67 in the 1+ shots on target realm, while Argentinean teenager Buonanotte is 1.73 in the same domain.
Newcastle vs Brighton Goals and Assists Stats
Wilson’s purple patch
Callum Wilson bagged his 16th and 17th goals of the Premier League season when he notched a brace at Leeds last weekend and the 31-year-old has now scored ten times in his last nine appearances for the Magpies. It’s interesting to note that both of Wilson’s goals at Elland Road last week were hit from the penalty spot and he should assume duties there if Newcastle win another one today. Second-top-scorer Isak has failed to register in five of his last six runouts, so Wilson is the better bet here to score anytime at 2.40.
Mac Allister to provide another clutch moment?
Brighton can hurt opponents from anywhere and having just one player in double figures for the campaign highlights how well Albion share the goal-scoring burden around. From a bet builder tips perspective however, it can be tough to predict which Brighton player will make his mark, though Alexis Mac Allister – who has notched twice in his last three starts – does catch the eye at 4.50 to find the net anytime again. Like Callum Wilson, Mac Allister should be on penalty kick duty if one is awarded to the Seagulls.
Newcastle vs Brighton Passing Stats
Low numbers likely for Newcastle
Kieran Tripper (54.8), Bruno Guimaraes (53.1), Sven Botman (49.1) and Fabian Schar (49.1) have been clocking decent numbers in the passes per 90 rankings for Newcastle, though few if any of the Magpies’ players are expected to hit heights lofty enough to make them coupon worthy today. With prices hovering around 1.07 for Tripper, 1/13 for Guimaraes, 1/8 for Botman and 1.11 for Schar in the 50+ passes listings, value is thin on the ground, so let’s move quickly on.
Gilmour to set the tempo again
Only Pep Guardiola’s possession-hungry Manchester City team have been keeping the ball for longer periods than Brighton this season and Albion controlled just under 60% of the play when they visited Arsenal last weekend. The Seagulls could be the dominant force in that regard again this evening and potent passers Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill and Billy Gilmour could clear 80 passes again. Of the three, Gilmour offers the most value in the markets for your Newcastle vs Brighton bet builder at 1.73 to play 70 or more passes against the Magpies.
Newcastle Cards and Fouls Stats
Usual suspects worth tracking for Magpies
Brazilian pair Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton like to throw their weight around in midfield and their challenges should be extra spiky today when they line up against Argentinean schemer Alexis Mac Allister. Both Brazilians could be worth squeezing onto your Newcastle bet builder docket in the 2+ fouls market at 1.83 and 1.50 respectively.
Elsewhere, Kieran Tripper and Dan Burn have tricky customers to deal with on the flanks and both defenders have been averaging over one foul per 90 in the Premier League this term. Again, the fouls market holds promise here with Tripper and Burn available at 1.20 and 1.25 apiece in the 1+ fouls arena.
Lightweight Mitoma and Buonanotte set for bruising evening
As Brighton’s primary link between midfield and attack, clever passer Alexis Mac Allister is often singled out for heavy-handed treatment and Newcastle pair Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes will be tracking him closely at St. James’ Park. Kaoru Mitoma’s quick feet and penchant for taking his marker on could draw fouls from Tripper, while the size difference between 18-year-old Facundo Buonanotte and Newcastle’s Dan Burn on the opposite side could make any challenge from the latter look clumsy.
Newcastle vs Brighton key matchups
Bruno Guimaraes/Joelinton vs Alexis Mac Allister
Kieran Tripper vs Kaoru Mitoma
Dan Burn vs Facundo Buonanotte
Brighton Cards and Fouls Stats
Mac Allister has previous against Newcastle
Alexis Mac Allister was one of two Brighton players booked when Albion drew 0-0 at home to Newcastle earlier this season and the 24-year-old is second-only to Moises Caicedo for total cautions collected at the club this term. The combative Mac Allister could be a Brighton bet builder option to weigh up at 4.0 in the card market again this evening.
Pervis Estupinan is usually good for at least a foul per game and the 25-year-old has sinned at least once in seven of his last eight appearances. The Ecuadorian committed four of them at Arsenal last time out and he piques my interest at 1.73 to foul at least twice again. Lewis Dunk meanwhile, looks coupon worthy at 1.57 in the 1+ fouls department – more on that one below.
Guimaraes, Wilson and Almiron to be in the thick of it
Bruno Guimaraes (2.71) has been Newcastle’s most-fouled player this season and the bristly Brazilian could be assailed again when he goes head-to-head with South American counterpart Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Callum Wilson (1.53) will chuck himself into physical altercations with Lewis Dunk whenever possible, while Miguel Almiron’s direct running could draw heavy hits from no-nonsense fullback, Pervis Estupinan.
Newcastle vs Brighton key matchups
Pervis Estupinan vs Miguel Almiron
Lewis Dunk vs Callum Wilson
Alexis Mac Allister vs Bruno Guimaraes
