Newcastle vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Eddie Howe is under immense pressure as Newcastle United welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off date/time: 2 May 2026 at 3:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock

Newcastle preview: Under pressure

Newcastle come into this one on the back of an improved performance but an early Eberechi Eze strike was enough to hand the Magpies a slender 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

That means that the Tynesiders have now succumbed to six successive defeats across all competitions with Newcastle needing a spark to change things and turn things around before the end of the campaign. 

Brighton preview: Soaring Seagulls

Brighton, on the other hand, most recently hammered Chelsea by three goals to nil with strikes from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck in a game whereby the result flattered Chelsea.

The Seagulls are now in contention for UEFA Champions League qualification with that victory against the Blues meaning that they have now won six and drawn one of their last eight matches in the Premier League.

Newcastle team news: Joelinton back

Brazil international midfielder Joelinton has returned from a recent two-match suspension and should come back into the starting eleven here.

Anthony Gordon remains a doubt for this one, too, albeit Eddie Howe did say last week that is hopeful the England international winger will be back.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Osula, Barnes

Unavailable: Schar (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Livramento (Injured)

Questionable: Gordon (Injured)

Brighton team news: No need to change

There is no need for Brighton to make any changes to their side this weekend with Solly March the closest of their injured quintet to making a return to the first-team squad, although this weekend will come too soon.

Centre-back Adam Webster is one of the other four players that are sidelined alongside the versatile James Milner and attacking duo Diego Gomez and Stefanos Tzimas.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross; Minteh, Hinshelwood, Mitoma; Welbeck

Unavailable: Webster (Injured), Milner (Injured), March (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Tzimas (Injured)

Questionable:

Newcastle vs Brighton prediction

Brighton begin the weekend sitting sixth in the table - which could be enough for the UEFA Champions League if Aston Villa go on to win the UEFA Europa League and remain tucked inside the top five. They are playing with immense confidence. Newcastle need to show something, though, and home advantage may aid them in that cause and so both teams scoring would seem a reasonable bet for this one this week.

Newcastle vs Brighton tip: Both teams to score