DESPITE the collapse of Newcastle's proposed Saudi takeover, there's an unusual air of optimism surrounding the Toon.
Unpopular owner Mike Ashley broke with tradition by loosening the purse strings in the transfer window, splashing out £35m on Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis and cannily snaring Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Fraser on free transfers.
The business already looks to be paying off, with Wilson and Hendrick scoring on their debut as Steve Bruce's side began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 away win at West Ham last weekend.
That was followed by a 1-0 League Cup success at home to Blackburn, with Fraser notching his first for a much-changed Magpies, so the hosts approach their latest league assignment in upbeat mood.
They face a Brighton side who were punished for a couple of defensive lapses in their opening 3-1 home loss to Chelsea on Monday night, before thumping south-coast rivals Portsmouth in the League Cup on Thursday.
Adam Lallana and Ben White were both injured on their league debut and are doubtful for Sunday's trip to the north-east.
There wasn't much between the sides last season – Newcastle finished three points and two spots higher than the 15th-place Seagulls – and the fixture has been tight in recent years, with four of the last five meetings ending in a draw and six in a row going under 2.5 goals.
How do the bookies view it?
Newcastle are 17-10 favourites at Unibet, who make the draw 39-20. Brighton, unbeaten in three successive trips to St James' Park, are 11-5 at William Hill to claim their first league win of the season.
Betting angles
Newcastle were impressive last weekend – albeit only against the perennially disappointing West Ham – and in Wilson they now have a top-class striker to make them much more of a threat.
At 5-6 with Unibet, the Magpies in the draw no bet market is a wager well worth a few bob.
On a similar theme, back a bet365 Bet Builder with the hosts not to lose and under 3.5 goals at 4-5.
This English Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton will be played on Sep 20, 2020 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Brighton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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