Chris Sutton got his Newcastle United prediction all wrong last weekend, and will hope to be more accurate on this occasion.
He tipped the Magpies to only get a point from their trip to Turf Moor, predicting a 3-3 draw between Burnley and Newcastle United.
Thankfully for Eddie Howe and co, Sutton was wrong. Instead, Newcastle battered Burnley, and ran out 4-1 winners. They arguably should have scored more, with Newcastle dominating against Vincent Kompany’s relegation-threatened side.
That win moved Newcastle United into sixth, and that is where they remain. Manchester United could not move back above them after losing to Crystal Palace, and now the Magpies are in pole position to qualify for Europe.
Newcastle United set for final home game of the season
This weekend will be important in determining Newcastle’s fate, as they prepare to take on Brighton And Hove Albion at St James’ Park. It is United’s last home game of the season, and Howe’s players will want to put on a show for the fans.
They have done that a lot this season, with Toon supporters witnessing some thrilling contests at St James’ Park. It has been goals galore, with the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon on top form at home.
Chris Sutton predicts Newcastle vs Brighton
And Chris Sutton expects Newcastle to do the business at St James’ Park once again, having predicted the score for the Magpies vs Brighton for BBC Sport.
“I watched Newcastle at Turf Moor last week and their twin-pronged attack of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak took Burnley apart,” he wrote.
“Wilson was phenomenal on the day and Isak has been excellent all season, while Anthony Gordon looked sharp for the Magpies too, and Bruno Guimaraes was running midfield.
“It was important for Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi that his side got back to winning ways against Aston Villa, but it is hard to see them getting anything here.
“I always felt that finishing the season strongly was a really big deal for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, and his side are flying at the moment.”
Sutton prediction: Newcastle 3 Brighton 1
Pundits are very confident about Newcastle beating Brighton on Saturday
Chris Sutton is the latest pundit to tip Newcastle to beat Brighton on Saturday. Paul Merson agrees with that thought, and thinks the Magpies will pick up another three points this weekend.
Those views are shared by Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Gary Neville, who all spoke about Newcastle vs Brighton on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast.
Wright and Keane went for a 3-0 win for Newcastle, while Neville slightly disagreed.
“I’d go 3-1. They have got a goal in them Brighton,” he said.
Whether Brighton score or not, the main thing for Newcastle is winning. At this stage in the season, it does not matter how you do it – the only thing that matters is winning.
Howe will happily take a 1-0 win or a 5-4 victory. Win at all costs will be the message, with Newcastle on the brink of a second consecutive season in Europe.
Newcastle will hope to take advantage of a Brighton side that have nothing to play for, and a win will make it a hat-trick of victories in the Premier League. That would put the Magpies in a very strong position, and give them huge confidence heading into Wednesday night’s crucial clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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