Newcastle vs. Brighton — Team News & Match Preview

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe gives instructions during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on April 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) Newcastle United host Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park on Saturday in their Premier League MD35 fixture. Eddie Howe’s side enters the match following a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, extending their losing run to five matches across all competitions and four in the league alone.

Newcastle remain 14th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone with four games to go and still not having secured their EPL safety—believe that. The defeat at the Emirates last weekend also ended an 18-game scoring run in all competitions, which couldn’t have come at a worse time, considering the Gunners just put one ball inside the Magpies’ net. Yikes!

Brighton, meanwhile, arrive following a 3-0 win over Chelsea, extending their strong run to 13 points from their last five league games. They sit sixth in the table and remain in contention for European qualification. This weekend’s visitors have taken 10 points from their last four away matches, keeping three clean sheets in that period, and are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Newcastle.

Tough matchup ahead, by the looks of it. Bruno Guimaraes returned to action last weekend and is expected to feature again, while Joelinton is also available following suspension, and thus expected to make the XI. Anthony Gordon could return from a groin issue and depending on whether or not Howe decides to play a natural striker or not, Gordon should either man the left wing or that makeshift-striker role he’s been so accustomed to be deployed in.