After defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool, it does not get much easier for Newcastle United.
The Magpies’ incredibly difficult start to the season continues on Saturday evening, with Eddie Howe taking his side to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton And Hove Albion in the 5:30pm kickoff.
It is going to be another challenging game for Newcastle, who will be very eager to go into the international break with a win. Otherwise, the mood will be rather downbeat during the two week break.
Howe has one major injury concern going into the game, and this is the Newcastle lineup we predict he will pick to face Brighton
Sven Botman fit to start for Newcastle
The major injury doubt heading into the game is Sven Botman. He was forced off with an ankle injury against Liverpool, and there have been concerns that he would miss a couple of weeks of action.
However, the latest news is that he is expected to be fit, which is a huge boost heading to the south coast.
He will hopefully partner Fabian Schar in the middle of defence, allowing Dan Burn to continue at left-back. That will be a blow for Matt Targett, who is reportedly ‘frustrated‘ by his lack of minutes right now.
He will have hoped Botman’s potential absence would hand him a place in the starting XI. However, he will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Anthony Gordon is Newcastle’s dangerman vs Brighton
Anthony Gordon was Newcastle’s best player against Liverpool on Sunday, and he will once again be our dangerman on Saturday.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a really strong start to the season, and is living up to the hype that started to surround him during the summer.
We expect Howe to name an unchanged starting XI against Brighton, including Gordon starting on the left of attack. However, the Toon boss will be under pressure in the second half when it comes to substitutions, having got it wrong in the defeat to Liverpool.
Predicted XI vs Brighton: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
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