Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
English Premier League, KO: 19:30 May 18, 2023, St James' Park
NEWCASTLE UNITED will be looking to halt a two-game winless run in the Premier League when they square off with Brighton & Hove Albion at St James' Park on Thursday night.
After falling to a 2-0 defeat in their last home game against Arsenal, the Magpies were unable to make an immediate return to winning ways when playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Leeds on Saturday.
That all square affair at Elland Road coupled with results elsewhere means that Eddie Howe's side remain in third spot with three games remaining.
With just one point separating Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool, the Toon have little room for error when Brighton come to town.
The Seagulls will be buoyed by their performance last weekend after they all but ended Arsenal's title hopes by earning a stunning 3-0 win at the Emirates.
As such, Roberto De Zerbi's side remain firmly in the race for European qualification and another road win here would put them in pole position for a top-six finish.
Outright Betting
Newcastle United, who suffered a rare home defeat in their last Premier League outing at St James' Park, go into this game as 19/20 (Bet 365) favourites.
Despite their excellent showing at the Emirates on Sunday, Brighton & Hove Albion head north as 13/5 (Bet 365) underdogs while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 27/10 (Ladbrokes).
Betting Angles
Neither team makes great appeal in the 1X2 here so I'll instead opt for Bet Builder by throwing together Both Teams to Score and Both Teams to Receive a Card at even-money (Bet 365).
While Newcastle were a well-oiled machine across the first half of the season, their defensive standards have slipped since the turn of the year, with Eddie Howe's side earning just one clean sheet across their last 15 league games.
What's more, each team has obliged on 10 occasions across that stretch and I see no reason to oppose a repeat here against a Brighton side whose attacking intensity is their best form of defence.
Having said that, Albion's forward-thinking approach tends to open up opportunities and spaces for their opponents to exploit, and that is evidenced by the fact that the visitors' clean sheet at the Emirates on Sunday was just their second shutout across their 17 top-flight road trips this term to date.
With that in mind, I'm happy to side with each side getting on the scoresheet at St James', but to round off the Bet Builder, I'll back each team to pick up a card in what should be a hard-fought contest on Thursday night.
Newcastle are averaging 1.57 yellow cards per-game in the Premier League this season, while Brighton have gone into the book in 100 of their last 11 league outings.
It's also worth pointing out that this particular Bet Builder would have paid out in three of the Seagulls' last most recent Premier League games away from the Amex and that only adds to the appeal of supporting the same even-money (Bet 365) formula on Thursday night.
I was unsuccessful when backing Brighton's Moisés Caicedo to pick up a card against Arsenal but I make no apology for siding with the same selection here at 3/1 with Bet 365.
The tough-tackling Ecuadorian was very fortunate to avoid a tenth Premier League booking of the season at the Emirates and I'm prepared to roll the dice on him again here in what should be an action-packed encounter under the north east lights.
This English Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion will be played on May 18, 2023 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
