Championship leaders Brighton host second-placed Newcastle on Tuesday in a match which is likely to be crucial in the race for promotion.
Brighton lead Newcastle by just a point and it’s likely to be a closely fought contest. The Seagulls have the best home record in the league, having lost just once at home all season, while Newcastle have the best away record in the Championship.
Team News
Brighton manager Chris Hughton could name an unchanged team for the match against Newcastle. Sebastien Pocognoli has been passed fit to start after leaving the field with a groin problem in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Reading. Liam Rosenior has still not recovered from an ankle injury, while Gaeten Bong is out with a knee problem.
Rafael Benitez will be without leading scorer Dwight Gayle, after the striker suffered a setback on his return to action. He lasted just 33 minutes in last Monday’s game against Aston Villa and is unlikely to be risked. Karl Darlow made a costly error in goal at the weekend, so Benitez might think about a change in goalkeeper for Tuesday’s fixture.
Stats
- Brighton’s only defeat in their last seven matches against Newcastle in all competitions (W4 D2) came earlier this season in a 2-0 loss.
- Newcastle have never scored a goal at the Amex Stadium in two previous games there, both in the FA Cup.
- Brighton have lost one of their last 19 home league games on a Tuesday (W14 D4), losing 1-0 to Ipswich in December 2015.
- Newcastle are yet to win a Championship game in which they’ve conceded the first goal this season (D1 L6), while Brighton have won 18 out of 18 games in which they’ve scored first.
