Newcastle v Brighton & Hove Albion: Likely line-ups for Premier League clash

Brighton will be hoping to take the momentum gained before the international break into their longest away trip of the season to Newcastle this afternoon, writes Bradley Stratton.
Albion midfielder Davy Propper is ruled out of today's match. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyAlbion midfielder Davy Propper is ruled out of today's match. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Albion midfielder Davy Propper is ruled out of today's match. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Glenn Murray’s 99th goal for Albion was enough to give them their second win of the season despite an under-par performance against a dogged West Ham at the Amex two weeks ago.

The three points gained could be crucial at the end of the season if Chris Hughton’s side find themselves battling for survival, given it was a game that the visitors were unlucky not to come away with a point from.

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The Seagulls’ successes this season have been built for the most part on the effervescent form of their talismanic frontman. With Murray one goal away from a landmark century of goals in the Blue and White stripes, he will be hoping to become only the second Seagulls player in history to join the 100 club at St James’ Park this weekend.

While their away form has arguably been the worst in the Premier League for some time, with their last victory on the road coming 11 months ago at Swansea, Albion will be hoping to find some joy against a Newcastle side that can’t seem to catch a break.

The Magpies are rooted in the relegation zone on two points, with only goal difference keeping them off the bottom of the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez’s side thought they’d finally found a breakthrough as they took a 2-0 lead into half-time at Old Trafford a fortnight ago against Manchester United, however a comeback in the final 20 minutes from the home side saw the Toon Army trudge back north empty handed after a 3-2 defeat.

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One major problem for the Tyneside outfit is the lack of goals, which makes it all the more galling for their support seeing Alexander Mitrovic in the division’s top five scorers after his move from Newcastle to Fulham in the summer.

NEWCASTLE

Ciaran Clark picked up an injury while with the Republic of Ireland and is set to miss out, while Paul Dummett pulled out of the Wales squad and could also miss the game. Florian Lejuene is also out.

Yoshinori Muto impressed in his first start against Manchester United before the international break but Rafa Benitez could opt for Salomon Rondon up front.

Likely line-up: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Manquillo; Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy; Perez; Muto. Subs (from): Schar, Murphy, Hayden, Joselu, Darlow, Atsu, Longstaff, Ki Sung-yueng, Dummett.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

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Albion boss Chris Hughton said late decisions would be made on whether Pascal Gross, Dale Stephens or Gaetan Bong will be involved.

Gross and Stephens missed games before the international break, while Bong picked up a knock in the West Ham game and then did not feature for Cameroon in the international break.

Dutch midfielder Davy Propper is definitely out with the ankle ligament injury he sustained against West Ham before the international break. He's likely to miss a number of weeks.

If Gross, Stephens and Bong all miss out, Yves Bissouma and Beram Kayal are set to start in central midfield and Bernardo is likely to come in at left-back. Jose Izquierdo could also be pushing for his first start of the season.

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Likely line-up: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Bissouma, Kayal, Izquierdo; March; Murray. Subs (from): Button, Montoya, Balogun, Bernardo, Stephens, Gross, Jahanbakhsh, Locadia, Andone, Suttner.

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