Brighton Hosts Newcastle in Crucial Premier League Showdown

Brighton, England – Brighton & Hove Albion will face Newcastle United at the American Express Stadium on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in a crucial Premier League clash with European qualification implications.

With the season winding down, both teams are eager for points. Newcastle currently sits third in the league, boasting a record of 19 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses. They have 62 points and need just 7 points from their final four matches to secure a Champions League spot.

In contrast, Brighton is in ninth place with 51 points, having secured 13 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses. The Seagulls recently ended a six-game winless streak with a thrilling last-minute 3-2 victory over West Ham, giving them a critical boost in their pursuit of European competition.

The match will be officiated by Craig Pawson, known for his controversial decisions, raising the stakes for both teams. Historically, Newcastle has struggled at Brighton, failing to win any of their last seven Premier League visits, while the last victory came in 2023.

Brighton’s head coach, Fabian Hürzeler, will need his key players to perform, especially with João Pedro suspended. Kaoru Mitoma, who has scored in his last two games, will be essential for creating chances. Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe faces injury issues, notably with Joelinton sidelined, which may lead to Joe Willock stepping in.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, with 22 goals this season, will be hoping to find the net against Brighton, having not scored in previous encounters. Despite a strong recent run, including 14 wins in their last 19 matches, Newcastle’s recent 4-1 loss to Aston Villa serves as a reminder of the need for consistency.

Brighton’s ability to recover from losing positions, gaining 17 points this season, has kept their hopes alive for European football. Both teams will be keen to capitalize on any defensive weaknesses.

The Opta supercomputer predicts a 41.1% chance of a Newcastle victory, a 34% chance for Brighton, and a 24.8% chance of a draw, making the match unpredictable and exciting.

As kickoff approaches at 2 PM, the atmosphere at the Amex Stadium is expected to be electric. Fans from both sets of supporters are eager to see if Brighton can complete a historic hat-trick against Newcastle or if the Magpies can break their Amex curse.