Newcastle vs Brighton Predictions

• Newcastle have won four of their last five league games
• Brighton have lost their last three league games to nil
• The Seagulls have lost four of their last five in all competitions

Howe has Newcastle moving

Despite their January signings yet to fully acclimatise, Eddie Howe has got Newcastle moving in the right direction. They’ve won four of their last five Premier League games, a run which accounts for 80% of their league wins this term.

However, they are on a seven game unbeaten run which dates back to just after Christmas, while Howe has started getting more from some of their underperforming players. The Magpies will hope to continue that good form as Brighton visit on Saturday.

Tough run for Seagulls

Meeting Newcastle just as they hit form isn’t ideal for Brighton, who have lost four of their last five games. The Seagulls have lost to nil in three straight Premier League matches, with their campaign starting to run into trouble.

Like how Newcastle have dramatically upped their win count of late, almost half of Brighton’s defeats this term have come in less than three weeks. Given how the hosts have improved, it’s hard to get behind a Brighton turnaround.

Newcastle to keep climbing

Newcastle are now only eight points shy of Brighton, with a game in hand. It’s suddenly not unthinkable that the Magpies could finish this campaign in the top 10, which would be a remarkable turnaround for Howe.

While Newcastle haven’t had the greatest record against Brighton over the years, I think the way this side is trending outweighs that. The visitors are in trouble with just one win across their last seven league games. Suffering defeats to Burnley and Aston Villa in their last two suggests the Seagulls will struggle in this one.

I’m backing the hosts to take the points, while Newcastle come into this one with just two goals conceded across their last five games. With Brighton finding goals tough to come by, a 2-0 home win is my correct score prediction.

Newcastle predicted lineup: Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Willock, Shelvey, Joelinton; Murphy, Wood, Fraser

Brighton predicted lineup: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella; Lamptey, Moder, Bissouma, Allister, March; Trossard, Maupay