Newcastle v Brighton: Goals will come from newly free Magpies

Newcastle 9/52.8 v Brighton 15/82.92; The Draw 9/43.3
Sunday 20 September, 14:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Magpies flying already

Newcastle got their season off to a winning start last weekend with an impressive 2-0 win at West Ham.

The goals were scored by two debutants as Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick secured the points. Newcastle have recruited very well this summer, with Wilson and Hendrick also being joined by the Norther Ireland international Jamal Lewis and the Scottish winger Ryan Fraser.

In the match against West Ham, Fraser was an unused substitute, but he started in the EFL Cup tie against Blackburn in midweek and scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win. A potential front three of Fraser, his former Bournemouth colleague Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin is an exciting prospect for Newcastle fans this season.

The season might have only just begun, but Steve Bruce already has a number of injury worries. Martin Dubravka, Paul Dummett, Fabian Schar, Matthew Longstaff and Dwight Gayle are all out.

Seagulls beaten but performed well

Brighton lost their season opener at home to Chelsea, but the match was a lot tighter than the scoreline suggested.

Having conceded a sloppy and unnecessary goal in the first-half, Brighton piled on the pressure and eventually equalised through Leandro Trossard early in the second-half. It was therefore a terrible blow for the Seagulls when Reece James immediately responded with an unstoppable long-range goal that put Chelsea back in front.

Chelsea eventually won 3-1, but there was a lot of reasons for Graham Potter to be positive, despite the result. Tariq Lamptey looked very impressive in his right-wingback position and it will be interesting to see how Ben White fares as one of Potter's three centre-backs.

White and Adam Lallana both had to go off against Chelsea and face late fitness tests, as does Dale Stephens who was injured in the 4-0 EFL Cup win against Portsmouth in midweek. Jose Izquierdo and Florin Andone are both out.

Newcastle only beaten by the best at home

Newcastle are the narrow favourites at 9/52.8, with Brighton not far behind at 15/82.92 and the draw at 9/43.3.

When you look at the five home defeats that Newcastle suffered last season, they all came against strong teams (P19 W6 D8 L5). Newcastle should avoid defeat here and they are 10/111.91 in the Draw No Bet market.

The Magpies drew a lot of home games last season, including this fixture, but they now have far more attacking options and should be claiming three points more regularly.

Magpies relishing freedom

Newcastle played with a lot more freedom when the season returned post-lockdown, with seven of their nine games producing over 2.5 goals and five seeing over 3.5. Over 2.5 goals is 7/52.4, with over 3.5 goals at 4/14.8.

Both teams to score landed in six of their nine games and is available at 21/202.06, With Brighton creating plenty of chances against Chelsea, that looks a decent price.

Wilson looking to become hero

With Wilson scoring on his debut, all eyes will be on him when he plays his first game at St James' Park. The Newcastle crowd famously love a good striker and Wilson offers new hope of finding a new hero, after the disappointment of Joelinton's performances since joining the club.

Wilson is 11/53.2 to score, behind Brighton's Neal Maupay at 85/403.1. That could prove to be generous, as Wilson has scored four goals in his previous six games against the Seagulls.