Chris Sutton predicts who will win on Saturday between Newcastle United and Brighton

Add as preferred source on Google

Chris Sutton is expecting to be entertained when Newcastle United face Brighton on Saturday.

Eddie Howe‘s side are set to welcome the Seagulls to St James’ Park, as Newcastle United prepare for a difficult first game back after the international break.

It is seventh against sixth on Saturday, with both teams sitting on 12 points. However, Brighton are above Newcastle on goal difference.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	BrightonBrighton	7	3	3	1	13	10	3	12
7	NewcastleNewcastle	7	3	3	1	8	7	1	12

Based on where each side is in the table, it should be a very tight game. However, Newcastle are very hard to predict this season. Eddie Howe is yet to find any real consistency, and will hope his players match the intensity levels they showed in their last Premier League game at home. That was the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Paul Merson is predicting another draw for Newcastle on Saturday, but Chris Sutton disagrees.

Chris Sutton predicts Newcastle vs Brighton

Chris Sutton has predicted what the score will be between Newcastle United and Brighton on Saturday as part of his weekly BBC Sport column.

“A few people out there thought Newcastle boss Eddie Howe would end up being the next England manager, but clearly that has not been the case,” he said.

“Howe is doing a great job for Newcastle, though, and what a cracking game this should be. We know the way Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler plays too – like Howe, he really goes for it.

“This is seventh in the table versus sixth, so these teams should be pretty well-matched, but If Alexander Isak is fit enough to feature up front for Newcastle after almost a month out, then he might just make the difference.”

Sutton’s prediction: Newcastle 2 Brighton 1

Sutton’s prediction is dependent on Alexander Isak

Sutton has boldly predicted Newcastle to win. However, that is dependent on Alexander Isak being involved.

The 25-year-old has missed the Magpies’ previous three games with a toe injury, and has been a major miss.

However, it was recently reported that Isak will be fit to face Brighton, and that still appears to be the case.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that Isak is still in line to return against the Seagulls. However, Callum Wilson’s comeback might be delayed.

While it is infuriating that Wilson is probably going to miss out, it will be great to have Isak back. He is a difference-maker when he is fully fit, and the Sweden international will be keen to get amongst the goals after scoring just once so far this season.

Hurzeler has praised Isak ahead of Saturday’s game, as he waits to find out whether or not Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever is available – and if he is, whether Howe starts him or names him on the bench.

Isak features in our predicted Newcastle XI to face Brighton, and Sutton thinks he could be the man to inspire the Magpies towards victory on Saturday.