Brighton will be hoping to secure their premier league status for next season against Newcastle on Monday evening in an 18:00 kick-off at the Amex Stadium.
With a 6-point lead over both Aston Villa and Bournemouth with two games to play, a draw will be enough for the seagulls to reach confirmed safety. Although with their current superior goal difference they are all but safe as things stand.
Brighton’s form has been unspectacular since the season resumption but appears to have been just enough. In fairness, they have come up against some high-flying sides, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester and Manchester United in this period. Wins over Arsenal and Norwich and a draw at Southampton have helped them to accrue the necessary points to live to fight another day.
The opposition for Brighton in the form of Newcastle have been safe for some time now, and it may be this knowledge that has seen them lose their last 3 league matches. Steve Bruce will be hoping they can arrest this slump in form, although with a long trip to the south coast to play in front of an empty stadium motivating his side may be a tough task.
Previous meetings
20/10/18 Newcastle 0-1 Brighton
27/04/19 Brighton 1-1 Newcastle
21/09/19 Newcastle 0-0 Brighton
Team News
For Brighton centre back Adam Webster will undergo a late fitness check following a hip problem he picked up against Southampton in midweek.
Meanwhile, the Iranian attacking midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh should be available following his return from a hamstring injury. Fellow midfielders Steven Alzate and Jose Izquierdo are unlikely to feature as they continue their recoveries from groin and knee injuries respectively.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has a very extensive injury list and is currently without 5 centre backs. Swiss Defender Fabian Schar was the latest to be added as he sustained a dislocated shoulder in the recent defeat to Tottenham. Other absences include influential winger Allan Saint-Maxim, defenders Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett in addition to striker Andy Carroll.
Match Preview written by Will Edwards