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Today’s game between Newcastle and Brighton is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing clashes so far this season and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is predicting a “really good game” with “plenty of goals.”
With the two sides sitting in the 7th and 6th place respectively and separated only by goal difference, it’s a tough one to call and game Merson believes will end all square in a 2-2 draw.
Speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of the 3pm kick-off, he said: “This will be a really good game. Brighton and Newcastle are sixth and seventh, respectively on same points. But quite honestly, Brighton are playing way better at the moment.”
“I expect both teams to have a go at it and there will be plenty of goals in this one. It’s so hard to keep it tight at the back and score many goals, difficult job and very few teams in the world are consistently good at it.
“I’m certain Newcastle will be a force going forward in this game, but I also feel they will leave the back door open in the process. This is where Brighton can take advantage and punish their opponents.
“As things stand, I’d probably go for Newcastle to finish above Brighton. It’s only just though, there’s not much between these teams.”
Merson’s Prediction: Newcastle 2 Brighton 2
In this same fixture last season, Merson had predicted Eddie Howe’s side to win 3-0 over Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls, though the game ended up finishing 1-1 after goals from Joel Veltman and Sean Longstaff.
This weekend’s game will finally give many Newcastle fans a front row seat into Yankuba Minteh and his talent, after the Gambian made the move from the North East to the South Coast without having played a single minute for Newcastle.
But the visitors are set to be without Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who misses out due to an ankle injury. Adam Webster and Matt O’Reilly are also listed by Fabian Huerzeler as having ‘long term’ injuries and won’t be making Saturday’s…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/10/19/paul-merson-releases-newcastle-vs-brighton-prediction-and-pre-match-thoughts/
Author : Jaspar Shepherdson
Publish date : 2024-10-19 10:42:12
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