Alan Shearer identifies where ‘tough’ Newcastle vs Brighton clash will be won and lost

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Newcastle United return from the international break on Saturday afternoon when they host Brighton at St James’ Park.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe will be pleased that he is finally able to put the chatter linking him to the England job to bed and focus on bringing some consistency to his side’s season and picking up a first Premier League win in four games.

Newcastle and Brighton begin the weekend side-by-side in the Premier League table, with the Seagulls having their beaks just in front of Howe’s men in sixth-place on goal difference.

Brighton went into the back of the international break on the back of a 3-2 win over Tottenham, but will again be without striker Joao Pedro who remains sidelined with an ankle injury. And it’s injuries which could decide how this clash goes, according to Magpies legend Alan Shearer.

Alan Shearer offers his Newcastle v Brighton prediction

Shearer knows that his old side are in for a tough test by Fabian Hurzeler’s men, but believes that the return of Alexander Isak could tip the clash in the home side’s favour.

“Brighton always represents a tough game for Newcastle, and this is another difficult one to call,” Shearer told Metro.

“If reports are to be true, that Newcastle have at least one of Callum Wilson or Aleksandar Isak back, then the chances they create combined with the way Brighton play with a high-line, means I will predict a home win at St James’ Park.”

Howe confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Isak was back in training and will be in contention this weekend.

What Alexander Isak’s return will mean for to Newcastle

Isak has been missing with a broken toe since the 3-1 defeat to Fulham, with his teammates finding the net just twice in three games, one of which was the Carabao Cup tie against League Two AFC Wimbledon.

Newcastle fans need no reminder of Isak’s attributes, but his availability is likely to see the Magpies able to put out a more conventional forward line.

Anthony Gordon will be able to move back to his preferred wide position, leaving Howe with the luxury of being able to decide where to play Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes.

While Brighton have enjoyed a positive start to life under the 31-year-old Hurzeler, they have been conceding goals, shipping in ten in their last four matches across all competitions. At the other end of the pitch, the Seagulls have been kept out just once in nine matches, meaning we could be set for an entertaining clash on Saturday afternoon.