Brighton make four changes to the team named for the narrow loss at Spurs on Tuesday evening. Martin Montoya, Yves Bissouma, Jurgen Locadia and Alireza Jahanbakhsh make way for Bruno, Baram Kayal, Glenn Murray and Jose Izqueirdo. Anthony Knockaert is available again after a three-match suspension.
Newcastle make three changes to the team that saw off Southampton 3-1 last Sunday. Jamaal Lascelles is ill, Miguel Almiron is hamstrung and out for the rest of the season, and Ki Sung-yueng drops to the bench. Federico Fernandez, Jonjo Shelvey and Christian Atsu take their places.
The teams
Brighton & Hove Albion: Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo, Gross, Stephens, Kayal, Andone, Murray, Izquierdo.
Subs: Bong, Bissouma, Locadia, Knockaert, March, Button, Burn.
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie, Perez, Shelvey, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon.
Subs: Ki, Diame, Muto, Kenedy, Yedlin, Barreca, Darlow.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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Preamble
Brighton & Hove Albion are in some serious bother. They’ve not scored a goal in the Premier League since March 9, when Anthony Knockaert sent a screamer into the top-left corner of Crystal Palace’s net to win the M23 derby. This impotent seven-game carry-on has sent them clattering down the table, and now they’re just three points above the last relegation place. Their next two matches are against Arsenal and Manchester City; realistically you’d think they need to get something here this evening. Finding the net would be a start.
There’s always hope in football, though. Brighton have a decent recent record against tonight’s opponents Newcastle United. They beat Rafa Benitez’s side earlier in the campaign, 1-0 at St James’ Park, and won this fixture last season. That one ended 1-0 too. Throw in a 0-0 up north last season, and Brighton have reason to be optimistic. Especially as Newcastle, having won their last two, are nice and safe in mid-table now, dreaming of the summer break. Either way, this doesn’t scream goalfest, but you never know. It’s on!
Kick off: 5.30pm BST.
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