Brighton entertains Newcastle on Sunday at The AMEX in a clash of two of the promoted sides from The Championship last season. Brighton narrowly lost out to Newcastle for The Championship title last season with them missing out after failing to win their last game against Aston Villa, a game which they drew 1-1. Sunday’s game will be a tight one with both sides having started the season well. Below will be the predicted lineup for The Seagulls in their usual 4-4-1-1 formation.
In goal will be a tough call between Matthew Ryan and new signing and former Newcastle keeper Tim Krul. Personally, I think Krul will most likely get the nod over Ryan, due to him performing so well on his debut against Bournemouth on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup Third Round tie. Also, Krul is more of a commanding keeper as he is taller than Ryan, which makes it a bit easier for him to command his area.
In defence, there will probably be one change with Bruno coming back in at right-back after recovering from an injury he picked up in the win over West Bromwich Albion.
This means he will replace Liam Rosenior who came on, to replace Bruno in last Friday defeat away to Bournemouth in the Premier League. The back four will lineup as follows with Bruno at right back, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy as the centre-backs and Markus Suttner at left back.
In midfield, The Seagulls will be lining up with the same four who started in last Friday defeat at Bournemouth. This means Anthony Knockaert will be on the right wing, Dale Stephens and Davy Propper will be in the centre of midfield and Solly March fresh off scoring his first Premier League goal against Bournemouth will start on the left wing.
In the number 10 role will be Pascal Gross who continued his impressive form against Bournemouth, with him setting up March’s goal with a great cross. The German has been a real star in the number 10 role for Brighton since signing from Ingolstadt in the summer. He already has 2 goals and two assists to his name and if he plays like he has in The Albion opening five Premier League games then he will probably add to that tally.
Upfront will be a tough call for Brighton as Glenn Murray being fully fit and Izzy Brown potentially being fit enough and Tomer Hemed in great form. For me Chris Hughton will probably stick with Hemed upfront because of the fact he has already got a goal to his name and his hold up play and pace seem to be a little bit better than Murray. The Israel striker also has a Premier League goal to his name when him scoring the third goal in the win over West Bromwich Albion and he has also seemed to link up well with Pascal Gross.
This is how they might line up:
