[Albion] Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Newcastle v Albion

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: St. James' Park
Date: Thursday 18th May 2023
Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Wade Smith
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Additional VAR: Adam Nunn
​

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle remain without Sean Longstaff, though he is making good progress in his recovery from a foot problem, according to boss Eddie Howe.

Jacob Murphy is doubtful with a groin issue, while Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles are unavailable.

Brighton trio Adam Webster, Joel Veltman and Solly March are still ruled out because of injury.

Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder are long-term absentees.

Head coach Roberto de Zerbi says goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was not in the matchday squad against Arsenal, will also not be involved on Thursday, explaining "he wants it this way, not me and not the club".

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Newcastle's 2-1 victory at St James' Park last season is their only triumph in the 11 Premier League meetings between the sides.
• Brighton have kept eight clean sheets versus the Magpies in the Premier League, more than against any other side.

Newcastle

• Eddie Howe's team have conceded 31 Premier League goals this term, a joint low with Manchester City, but they have kept just one clean sheet in their past 15 top-flight fixtures.
• Newcastle's next goal will be their 64th in the Premier League this season, which would be their best record since netting 74 in 2001-02.
• The Magpies' total of 66 points is their highest in the top flight since ending third with 69 points in 2002-03.
• They have won one of nine league fixtures against sides currently in the top six this season (D4, L4).
• Newcastle have drawn 12 league games in 2022-23, their highest total in a campaign since sharing the points on 13 occasions in 2010-11.
• Eddie Howe has lost one of his eight Premier League meetings with Brighton (W5, D2), winning all four home matches.
• Callum Wilson has scored 17 top-flight goals this term, the most by a Newcastle player since Alan Shearer netted 22 in 2003-04.

Albion

• Victory would ensure the Seagulls end at least seventh eighth, their highest final position in a top-flight season, surpassing last year's ninth-place finish.
• The Seagulls have won eight Premier League away matches in 2022-23, a figure bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester City.
• They have failed to score in only one of their 17 away league fixtures this campaign, doing so in the 2-0 defeat at Brentford on 14 October.
• Eight of Brighton's Premier League goals this term have been scored by teenagers. The last team to net more such goals in a season were Manchester United (11 in 2019-20).
• Deniz Undav has scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances for Brighton. He failed to net in any of his first 14 appearances in the division.

Roberto De Zerbi's Newcastle Press Conference

 

[Nottseagull]

Our last fixture against Newcastle was 39 weeks and 5 days ago. Is this a record gap between a pair of fixtures in any League season going back to 1888? If so, we must also hold the previous record with Manchester United at 38 weeks 4 days. If not, then I presume they were set in 1962-63, which was also an extended season. The stat might be a bit quirky but this is a record-breaking season, no?

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[Nottseagull]

'Victory would ensure the Seagulls end at least seventh, their highest final position in a top-flight season, surpassing last year's ninth-place finish.'

Villa and Tottenham don't have to play each other, so therefore can both get 63 points. So how does victory today guarantee us seventh place?
@Dick Head does post some crap at times

 

[jcdenton08]

Through to the next round here lads, no excuses.

 

[Dick Head]

'Victory would ensure the Seagulls end at least seventh, their highest final position in a top-flight season, surpassing last year's ninth-place finish.'

Villa and Tottenham don't have to play each other, so therefore can both get 63 points. So how does victory today guarantee us seventh place?
@Dick Head does post some crap at times

The BBC led me astray.

 

[HangletonGull]

Just leaving hove station now

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

These last four games could be season defining

 

[oldboyroy]

Will take a point gladly.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

Will take a point gladly.

I thought so too, but I'm feeling weirdly confident this morning.

 

[Toongull]

Lads at work aren’t too confident for tonight apart from one tool who thinks they’ll smash us 10-0. The loss to Everton is the only result I get thrown at me. They’re in for a shock tonight if we turn up and play like we did against Arsenal.

 

[GT49er]

Lads at work aren’t too confident for tonight apart from one tool who thinks they’ll smash us 10-0. The loss to Everton is the only result I get thrown at me. They’re in for a shock tonight if we turn up and play like we did against Arsenal.

We're in for a shock if we turn up and play like we did against Everton - or Forest!

 

[dazzer6666]

Off to LHR shortly, can’t wait

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

A mouthwatering evening in prospect on two fronts - BHA capable of getting something, plus Sheffield Wednesday's second leg

 

[Toongull]

We're in for a shock if we turn up and play like we did against Everton - or Forest!

Yep or Fulham and Brentford. Fingers crossed the lads are up for it.

 

[Midget]

On the way to BTN. Up for it today but feeling a tiny bit sad that the season's ending soon, whatever the outcome it's been such a ride! I won't know what to do with myself come June

Seagulls!

 

[Deleted member 37369]

Heading for SSE in just under an hour for journey to NCL via BTN, ECR and SVG!!! It's all about the split tickets and the best price!!! Albeit the train times are nothing like the original booking due to ASLEF industrial action!!

 

[Perfidious Albion]

What can we say other than that we need to win . We don’t do too many draws . We either win handsomely or we get stuffed, so we need to get this . Whatever happens

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Midget]

Heading for SSE in just under an hour for journey to NCL via BTN, ECR and SVG!!! It's all about the split tickets and the best price!!! Albeit the train times are nothing like the original booking due to ASLEF industrial action!!

Nice one. We opted for a bit more money and a lot less faffing

We come in from Shoreham too but pootled in on the bus to avoid the commuter crowd