It is the battle of the Premier League’s high-flying underdogs on Thursday as Brighton travel to Tyneside to take on Newcastle United at St James Park in a clash that has major repurcussions for both sides.
Having thrashed Arsenal 3-0 on Sunday, ending their hopes of a Premier League title in the process, Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit a point clear of Tottenham and Aston Villa, but with two games in hand on the pair as they eye up European football for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, a defeat and a draw for Eddie Howe’s side have left them in danger of losing their spot in the Champions League next season, with Liverpool now just a point behind the Magpies, though they have played a game more.
Three points for either side would all but confirm their place in their respective competitions, while a point does neither side a great deal of good.
Here’s how we expect De Zerbi to set up his Brighton side, and the latest news on the injury front.
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Brighton will be without influential attacker Solly March, who is set to miss their final games of the season with a hamstring strain that he picked up in the 5-1 thrashing by Everton 10 days ago.
Veltman is closest to a return, but the game against the Magpies could come too soon for him, which will likely see Moises Caicedo remain at right-back, where he excelled in the win over Arsenal.
Another absentee will be backup goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who has decided to remove himself from the squad after being dropped in favour of Jason Steele.
‘We spoke before the Arsenal game, and we decided together the best solution was to stay home’, De Zerbi revealed. ‘He decides everything. Robert decides, and at the moment, it’s like this. He wanted it this way, not me, not the club.’
