Predicted Newcastle team v Brighton – Two changes

The Mag

·19 October 2024

Predicted Newcastle team v Brighton – Two changes

Looking at this Newcastle team v Brighton.

Eddie Howe and his players looking to build on that excellent performance and result against Manchester City and the very good display at Everton, when they dominated but couldn’t find the winning goal.

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Coming out of the international break, a win would guarantee Newcastle ending the weekend in the top six, as they would move ahead of Brighton who are only ahead of us on goal difference.

Which if other results also go our way, Newcastle could be top four after this eighth round of Premier League matches.

So what can we expect the Newcastle team v Brighton to be?

As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Everton:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali, Barnes, Gordon, Jacob Murphy

Eddie Howe gave an injury and availability update on Friday morning.

The Head Coach apparently making clear that Callum Wilson still needs a little bit more time, before making a playing return.

Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman still making long-term recoveries, whilst Eddie Howe confirmed that a hamstring injury would keep Kieran Trippier out for weeks.

The massively positive news though, was the NUFC boss saying Alexander Isak if fighting fit and ready to play again.

He also spoke positively about Lewis Miley’s progress, so he could be a contender for the squad today. Martin Dubravka also appears to be available again, I didn’t see any mention on him from Eddie Howe but after picking up that knock against Wimbledon, the keeper was seen in training photos released on Wednesday by the club.

Anyway, my take on all of this after the above, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Brighton is:

Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali, Gordon, Isak, Jacob Murphy

So that would make it two changes from the Everton match.

Livramento in for Trippier, with Isak also coming in and Barnes dropping to the bench.

After a clean sheet against Everton and just the one goal conceded against Man City, I can’t see any defensive changes apart from the enforced Livramento for Tripper one.

In midfield, Bruno and Sandro Tonali have both had very positive October internationals, so I can’t see anything other than those two lining up alongside Joelinton.

It looks for sure that Alexander Isak will return through the middle and Anthony Gordon move back out wide, which leaves just the one spot where I think it is unsure.

With varying degrees of likelihood, I think it looks between Almiron, Jacob Murphy, Barnes and Willock, for the final space in the team.

On balance, I think Murphy will continue on the right with Gordon reverting to his favoured left hand side position.

I think the feeling generally amongst fans is to want to see a team that has both Gordon and Barnes in it, however, whilst Gordon looks comfortable both left and right, I don’t think the right side really suits Barnes.

I also think that without Wilson available, Eddie Howe likes to have the quality Barnes (and Willock) can bring off the bench, especially his ability to score goals cutting in from the left against tiring players. Jacob Murphy as a starter, offers a more workmanlike option on the right in most people’s eyes.

Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon

Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)