Newcastle predicted lineup vs Brighton - Premier League
- Miguel Almiron could be dropped after Liverpool display with Harvey Barnes set to come in
- Sven Botman out with an injury with replacement needed in central defence
- Magpies threw away lead to lose 2-1 against ten-player Liverpool last time out
By Euan Burns
Newcastle's tough start to the Premier League season continues on Saturday when they visit Brighton on the south coast.
Eddie Howe's side lost 1-0 to Manchester City in their second outing after thrashing Aston Villa before throwing away a one-goal and one-player advantage against Liverpool, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at St James' Park.
A trip to Brighton is hardly a fixture the Magpies would have wanted in search of a routine victory to get points on the board, but that's the challenge that awaits Howe and his side next.
Here's the team Newcastle could deploy in the hope of getting back to winning ways after two straight defeats.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3)
GK: Nick Pope - One of the most secure starting goalkeepers in the Premier League, Pope is playing to try and get minutes for England but was left out of Gareth Southgate's squad announced on Thursday.
RB: Kieran Trippier - Pope is secure in goal and Trippier is even more so at right-back. Emil Krafth may be injured but even if he was fit, Trippier would be starting.
CB: Fabian Schar - He doesn't often get the plaudits but Schar is a very good, modern centre back who is vital to this Newcastle team.
CB: Jamal Lascelles - It could be Matt Targett, but Lascelles is the natural centre-back to replace the injured Sven Botman this weekend.
LB: Dan Burn - It still looks like a weird experiment, but Burn does a very good job at left-back for Newcastle and there is no reason for Howe to change that.
CM: Sandro Tonali - The Italian has made a great start to life in the Premier League and he was very impressive against Liverpool. The Italian's substitution really stalled their attacking momentum.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes - One of the most balanced midfielders in the game, he seems to complement Tonali's game very well and will be at the base of the midfield against Brighton.
CM: Joelinton - The Brazilian is one of the players guilty of not killing Liverpool off but should still retain his place in midfield this weekend.
RW: Harvey Barnes - Someone needs to come out of the forward line after what happened last time out and it may be Miguel Almiron, allowing Barnes to have a go on the right wing and show what he can do.
ST: Alexander Isak - There is a chance Callum Wilson plays instead, but Isak should get a chance to redeem himself after drawing a blank last weekend.
LW: Anthony Gordon - Another player who wasted a lot of chances, Gordon's display was still good enough against Liverpool that he has no business being dropped against Brighton. He will want to build on his goal.
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