Newcastle United are under huge pressure to get a result against Brighton.
The Magpies have drawn their last three games, but they all could have been victories.
Our past three games were very winnable. But against Wolves we threw it away. Against West Brom we didn’t even try to attack. And against Aston Villa we had to rescue a late point.
While it wasn’t a late winner, Steve Bruce will pray that Jamaal Lascelles’ stoppage time equaliser will give his side some momentum.
But who will start for the Magpies at the Amex?
Manquillo in, Krafth out
Javi Manquillo has returned from injury quicker than expected, and has been on the bench for our last two games.
The Spaniard made a substitute appearance last week, and should return to the starting XI vs Brighton.
Emil Krafth has severely struggled lately and, while he hasn’t been as bad in recent fixtures, he should be replaced by Manquillo.
Bruce to take a risk on Almiron
Newcastle have badly missed their three best attackers in recent weeks.
However, the key players are starting to return to fitness.
While the Brighton game will come too soon for Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron should feature in some capacity.
Ahead of the game, Bruce confirmed that the Paraguayan has a chance of playing.
Considering how desperate Newcastle’s situation is, I expect Bruce to take a risk and throw Almiron straight back into the starting XI.
We don’t know how fit he is, so there is every possibility that he will start on the bench.
However, we would be better off using Almiron early on and getting ahead rather than later when we’re chasing the game.
He can add a goal threat that we’ve severely missed, and allow Bruce to continue with his current formation.
Almiron’s return will allow Ryan Fraser to play on the left, whilst forcing Dwight Gayle to the bench.
Predicted lineup vs Brighton: Dubravka; Manquillo, Lascellles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden, Willock, Almiron; Joelinton, Fraser.
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