Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted a tight contest at the Amex between Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United on Saturday in what is a crucial game for the hosts.
Newcastle’s 3-1 win against Southampton at St James’ Park coupled with other results saw Rafa Benitez’s side secure their Premier League survival with three games remaining.
Contrastingly Brighton are still in relegation trouble sitting just three points clear of Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation spot, after losing three of and failing to score in their last four Premier League matches.
Merson making his weekly predictions for Sky Sports predicts the game will finish in a 1-1 draw.
He said: “For me, it’s hard to call because it all depends on that Cardiff game, because Brighton need to win if Cardiff do. They might still shut up shop, get a point and be happy. The problem is Newcastle play a certain way, show they’re hard to beat from the start and always nick chances.
“If Newcastle play like they did against Leicester and Southampton, Brighton won’t get much out of the game and it’ll be tough.”
Newcastle will be looking to extend their current two-game winning run and deepen Brighton’s relegation fears, with a win securing back to back away wins in the Premier League for the Benitez’s side.
OPINION
Newcastle will travel to the Amex with the pressure off having picked up back to back wins at Leicester City and against Southampton last weekend. Those two wins came at a crucial time for Rafa Benitez’s side and has seen them secure their Premier League survival with three matches to spare. In almost complete contrast Brighton are under very intense pressure heading into, what on paper at least, appears to be their most winnable game remaining this season. Chris Hughton, who won promotion to the Premier League with Newcastle in his spell in charge at St James’ Park, desperately needs to end a run of seven-match winless run in all competitions to help his side move a step closer to safety. Much will depend on whether Newcastle can maintain their recent intensity now that safety is assured, and whether Brighton can handle the pressure they will be under. It is probably likely to be a tight contest with the first goal probably crucial in deciding who will come out on top.
