One of the most tasty-looking match-ups of Premier League Gameweek 8 pits Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion against each other on Saturday.
Both teams headed into October’s international breaks narrowly off the top four after accruing 12 points apiece from the opening seven rounds.
With Premier League live streams gaining popularity, fans can enjoy an intense battle at St James’ Park from the comforts of their home.
Comfort has been a rare commodity at Newcastle this season.
Storm Weathered
In all fairness, the international break couldn’t come at a more opportune moment for the Magpies, handing them two weeks off after an underwhelming three-game winless league run.
Eddie Howe’s head might have been elsewhere before club football hit a pause button a fortnight ago amid reported interest from the England national team.
According to the Daily Mirror, he has played down speculation linking him with the England job in the build-up to this encounter.
Howe was reportedly among the candidates to succeed Gareth Southgate before the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel as the new permanent manager earlier this week.
Back to Business
Anthony Gordon’s missed penalty left Newcastle fans heartbroken as Everton held the Magpies to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on the brink of the international break.
Back at St James’ Park, where they held perennial champions Manchester City to a 1-1 stalemate last time out, the hosts may feel upbeat about their chances of returning to winning ways.
The Seagulls’ visit can only add to Newcastle’s optimism, considering they’ve not lost any of the last three Premier League duels on this ground (W2, D1).
Newcastle’s dominant home run against Brighton increases the likelihood of a 12th consecutive league match on Tyneside without losing (W5, D6) for Howe’s European hopefuls.
Newcastle United Potential Starting XI
(4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Burn, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon