Predicted Newcastle XI to face Brighton as Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak call and £39m player is dropped

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Eddie Howe is expected to make changes to his Newcastle United team against Brighton on Saturday.

The Premier League is back after the international break, as Eddie Howe‘s side prepare to face Brighton at St James’ Park.

Fabian Hurzeler knows what to expect from the Newcastle crowd, despite this being his first ever visit to the North East of England.

It will be a very challenging game for Newcastle United, who start the weekend one place below Brighton in the Premier League table.

The Seagulls are always tough opponents, and this is the predicted Newcastle United XI that we think Eddie Howe will pick on Saturday.

One change in defence for Newcastle

There will definitely be one change to the Newcastle United starting XI that drew with Everton before the international break.

Kieran Trippier has suffered a hamstring injury, and will be absent for a few weeks. That means that Tino Livramento will start at right-back, having began Newcastle’s previous two Premier League matches on the bench.

Eddie Howe will almost certainly continue with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn at centre-back, while Lewis Hall should retain his place in the side as he continues his bright run of form.

Newcastle’s best midfield three to start against Brighton

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have been away on international duty, but should both start against the Seagulls on Saturday.

Eddie Howe will hope that Tonali can bring his international form back to Newcastle, with the 24-year-old playing very well for Italy in the Nations League.

They will be joined by Joelinton in midfield, who remains one booking away from a suspension.

Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff will be in reserve, while it remains to be seen if Lewis Miley will be involved. He has not featured for the Magpies since March due to injury, but Miley is now back in Newcastle training.

Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak decision

The big concern heading into Newcastle’s game against Brighton is the striker situation. The Magpies have really suffered without Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, with Anthony Gordon leading the line in their absence.

However, it has been reported that Isak and Wilson will be fit to face Brighton on Saturday.

With that in mind, Howe will be eager to thrust Isak straight back into the starting XI. The 25-year-old has only scored one goal this season, and will be desperate to add to that tally and put his fitness issues behind him.

The same will go for Wilson, who will hopefully be on the bench against Brighton. He has not played for the Magpies since the final day of last season.

If Isak does come into attack, it could be Harvey Barnes who misses out. That would then allow Anthony Gordon to operate down the left, with Jacob Murphy on the right.

It would be harsh on the £39million man, but he is also a great option to have in reserve, at a time when Newcastle’s bench is starting to look a lot stronger.

Predicted XI vs Brighton: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.