[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Albion v Newcastle

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Saturday 2nd September 2023
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Darren Bond
Additional VAR: Ian Hussin
​

TEAM NEWS

Brighton's Danny Welbeck has a minor muscular issue and joins fellow forward Julio Enciso on the sidelines.

New signing Ansu Fati is not available to make his debut having joined on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

Newcastle midfielder Joelinton and defender Sven Botman both face late fitness tests on their respective injury problems.

Manager Eddie Howe remains without the injured duo of Joe Willock and Emil Krafth.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Having failed to win any of their first nine Premier League matches against Brighton, Newcastle are unbeaten in the last three against the Seagulls and beat them 4-1 at St James' Park in May.
• Brighton have kept eight Premier League clean sheets versus Newcastle, more than they have against any other opponent.

Albion

• This is Brighton's 400th top-flight game.
• Brighton suffered their first defeat of the season last week despite having 81% possession in their 3-1 loss to West Ham.
• The Seagulls have had the most shots (68), shots on target (30), touches in the opposition box (159) and accumulated the most xG (7.7) in the Premier League so far this season.
• They have scored in their last 19 Premier League matches, the longest current scoring streak of any top-flight club.
• Pascal Gross became Brighton's outright leading Premier League scorer when he scored his 27th goal in their defeat to West Ham.

Newcastle

• Newcastle have lost two of their three league fixtures so far this season. They didn't lose three last season until their 24th league game.
• They have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 away league games.
• Anthony Gordon has been involved in three goals in his last four top-flight appearances, having not scored or assisted in his previous 20.
• The Magpies are the most accurate shooters in the Premier League this season, with 48% of their goal attempts (22/46) being on target.
• Eddie Howe has lost only one of his nine Premier League matches as a manager versus Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi's Newcastle Press Conference

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[jcdenton08]

This result could be weekend defining.

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

Dublin Airport once more - not worrying about the trains, overnight in Gatwick Airport or because I think the game will be a tough one.
The excitement of yesterday still hasn’t dissipated for me - Fati was exciting enough but that group - THAT group - is just amazing! I still find it hard to take in - the fixtures later will provide another wave of excitement - it would be lovely if we actually play well today too!
UTA

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Nothing silly lads, through to the next round

 

[Guinness Boy]

Dublin Airport once more - not worrying about the trains, overnight in Gatwick Airport or because I think the game will be a tough one.
The excitement of yesterday still hasn’t dissipated for me - Fati was exciting enough but that group - THAT group - is just amazing! I still find it hard to take in - the fixtures later will provide another wave of excitement - it would be lovely if we actually play well today too!
UTA

Yeah I’m still buzzing from yesterday and counting down the hours and minutes until I can get to the pub. C’mon Brighton!

 

[Taybha]

1-0

 

[El Turi]

With their ownership, I don’t see Newcastle as a real club anymore. They are just a sportwashing vehicle for a human rights abusing nation. The worst thing is 99% of their fans don’t seem to care.

 

[Icy Gull]

Feeling of impending doom on this one

 

[jcdenton08]

Nothing silly lads, through to the next round

No excuses

 

[Napper]

Still have nightmares about that performance at their place

Of all the teams where you need some power and physicality it’s against Newcastle

Hope RDZ has a plan

Come on Albion

 

[trueblue]

It’s the Group of Death Derby.

Which should probably concern us, considering Newcastle’s ultimate overlords back in Saudi have such extensive experience of groups of death.

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

It's got nil-all written all over it

 

[dstanman]

After all the excitement of yesterday back to business today. Hopefully the players have got last week out of their system as will need a top performance from them to get the 3 points.

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Never mind Europe or Mr Fati, that is ahead of us . Today it s the league and Newcastle United .. Last week was a bad day , we have the chance to put it right- we have to...
I really don’t know what team he will put out but , whatever... we will support

 

[portslade seagull]

Tough one today, hopefully Veltman gets the nod

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Tough one today, hopefully Veltman gets the nod

From a corner, into the goal, ideally!

 

[Surf's Up]

The last time they were down Smug employed roughly the same tactics as Moyes last week this despite his regular claims that the are a vibrant exciting offensive team. Offensive yes, vibrant no.

 

[faoileán]

With their ownership, I don’t see Newcastle as a real club anymore. They are just a sportwashing vehicle for a human rights abusing nation. The worst thing is 99% of their fans don’t seem to care.

Just because in March the Saudis executed 81 people in one day for crimes including witchcraft and sorcery all the wokey snowflakey countries get upset for some reason...