EPL: Brighton v Newcastle United preview

Brighton v Newcastle United preview

Newcastle will look to win their fourth straight Premier League game when they travel to Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies started the campaign in poor fashion after losing their first two games to Tottenham and Huddersfield Town.

They were then dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Nottingham Forest but manager Rafa Benitez has finally got them firing. Wins over West Ham United, Swansea City and Stoke City have propelled Newcastle up the table and they now sit fourth.

Their record against Brighton also stands them in good stead, with the Magpies the only team to do the double over Brighton in the Championship last season.

Benitez will be without Aleksandar Mitrovic for the first ever Premier League meeting between the two sides and he is joined on the sidelines by Paul Dummett.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who faces his former club, will be able to call upon captain Bruno as he has overcome a back problem.

Izzy Brown faces a late fitness test after a hamstring complaint, but Glenn Murray and Gaetan Bong are pushing for a spot in the starting XI.

Brighton’s Pascal Gross could be key to his team’s fortunes, with the midfielder playing a part in all four of their goals so far this season. Having picked up two goals and two assists he will be one to watch, while he will need to do his best to silence Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie.

The former Bournemouth man has picked up four assists in his last three games and one of his trademark set-pieces may be needed this weekend.