Preview: Brighton vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion can ensure their Premier League survival when they welcome an out-of-form Newcastle United side to the Amex Stadium on Monday evening.

Brighton shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Southampton last time out, whereas Newcastle suffered their third defeat in succession against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek.

Match preview

© Reuters

Even though Brighton are still not mathematically safe with just two games left to play, the Seagulls are extremely unlikely to be at risk of dropping down to the Championship at this very late stage.

As things stand, Graham Potter 's men are six points above the dotted line after 36 matches, although 18th-placed Bournemouth could close the gap on the teams above them when the Cherries play Southampton on Sunday before Brighton take to the field a day later.

West Ham United's 3-1 victory over Watford saw the Hammers leapfrog Brighton in the table as the Seagulls dropped down to 16th, but Brighton boast a far better goal difference than their fellow relegation rivals and a point against Newcastle would be enough to guarantee survival.

Potter's men have welcomed Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool to the South Coast following the Premier League's resumption, so the clash with Newcastle easily represents Brighton's most winnable home fixture since the restart, although the Brighton faithful will not be forgetting their memorable 2-1 victory over Arsenal in a hurry.

The Seagulls looked to be on course to secure another season in the Premier League when Neal Maupay put Brighton in front against Southampton, but Golden Boot hopeful Danny Ings netted a second-half equaliser for the Saints as the points were shared in Brighton's most recent outing.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, Newcastle will not be mounting a late charge for a top-half finish as Spurs put Steve Bruce 's men to the sword on their own turf on Wednesday.

Harry Kane hit the esteemed milestone of 200 club goals at St James' Park as Newcastle succumbed to a third defeat in a row - a disappointing end to the season considering their strong form upon the restart.

Indeed, the Magpies recorded two wins and two draws from their first four games back, but Bruce soon witnessed his side be trounced by Manchester City, narrowly overcome by Watford and comfortably swept aside by Tottenham in the past few weeks.

Newcastle were never likely to be dragged into a relegation dogfight - they have been assured of their Premier League safety for a while now - but Bruce will undoubtedly want to see his players make the long journey to the South Coast count for something on Monday evening.

The Magpies will face the daunting task of a final-day fixture against champions Liverpool next Sunday, and while the Reds have not been their usual dominant selves recently, Magpies fans will be sure to strap in for a long afternoon against the crop of attacking stars in Liverpool's ranks.

Newcastle have not beaten Brighton since the two clubs were plying their trade in the Championship, however, and the most recent meeting between the two sides ended in a drab 0-0 draw back in September.

Brighton Premier League form: DLWLLD

Newcastle United Premier League form: DWDLLL

Newcastle United form (all competitions): LWDLLL

Team News

© Reuters

Brighton may have to make do without Adam Webster for the penultimate round of fixtures, but Potter has expressed his optimism over the defender's chances of making the cut.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is also expected to shake off a hamstring complaint in time for Monday, but Steven Alzate and Jose Izquierdo both remain on the treatment table.

Brighton will most likely revert to their traditional four-at-the-back system for gameweek 37, which is likely to see veteran striker Glenn Murray drop back down to the bench.

As for Newcastle, Bruce is in a defensive crisis with the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark all unavailable.

Midfield duo Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff are both expected to remain out for the rest of the season, while the tricky Allan Saint-Maximin is a doubt with a calf problem.

On a positive note, Newcastle will welcome Danny Rose back to the squad after he was ineligible to face parent club Spurs, and Bruce has confirmed that he has asked for permission to play 20-year-old Kelland Watts to help cope with Newcastle's hefty injury list.

Brighton possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Burn; Bissouma, Propper, Stephens; Mooy, Maupay, Trossard

Newcastle possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Yedlin, Fernandez, Watts, Rose; Ritchie, Shelvey, Bentaleb, Joelinton; Almiron; Gayle

We say: Brighton 2-1 Newcastle

Games between Newcastle and Brighton have never turned out to be spectacular since the two clubs were promoted to the top flight three years ago. Brighton should not be looking over their shoulder at this point - even if there is still a slight risk of relegation - but we are backing the Seagulls to ensure their safety with victory over a depleted Newcastle side on Monday.