Newcastle United played extremely well in the Championships last season to restore themselves to the league they belong to. However, their return to the zenith of English football has not gone according to plan and although they had enjoyed a decent start to their new English top-flight campaign, things are now pretty tough at the club. After a shaky first few weeks, they fared well for a side returning to the Premier League this season and slowly come back to their regular grind. They were as high as eleventh on the table with fourteen points from eleven games. They had won five, drawn two and lost two of the nine-game stretch in the middle all over.
Things have fallen apart since for the Magpies and they are suffering from the tenacity of the English league. They are now 15th in the league. They have collected just four of the last 21 possible points. They are still just one point off the relegation and relegation now looks a possibility.
Their 2-3 positive result against West Ham United was a crucial three points for them with the Magpies overtaking fellow strugglers West Ham United and it will give them a huge boost going into the second half of the season. The 1-0 defeat to high flying Manchester City cannot be held against the club as no side this season has managed to stop Pep’s men. In a league where results after each match week can send a club relegation to top ten, Newcastle will have to continue their fight if they wish to stay afloat this season.
With the January transfer window coming up, Newcastle will look to seek redemption in the market after failing to register quality, new players in the summer. Rafael Benitez has made no secret of the fact that Newcastle United need new players. However, with Newcastle unable to sell their existing crop of players, Newcastle has had to deal with a stagnant squad and that has frustrated Benitez.
As for this weekend, he will be stuck with the team he has as of now and here is how he will look to set them up for the match.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Robert Elliot can be expected to continue in goal this time as well for Rafa Benitez’s men.
DeAndre Yedlin will be positioned in right back with Paul Dummett at left-back. 28-year old Ciaran Clark along with Jamaal Lascelles will be expected at the heart of Newcastle United defence.
Midfield
A midfield quartet of Christian Atsu on the left, Matt Ritchie on the right, with the returning Henri Saivet and Mikel Merino will be expected to play for the match against Brighton.
Attack
Ayoze Perez will be playing in behind Joselu as the two forwards for Newcastle United.
