Graham Potter has changed the style of play of Brighton, but they have not gotten enough. Their failure to score adequately explains why they need to win this relegation six-pointer against Newcastle United on Saturday. The Seagulls have only scored five goals in their last five games, but they will need to find goals this time around. In the previous fixture, Newcastle put three unanswered goals past them. Three points would take up to 32 points, although they will remain in 16th place behind Burnley. Brighton have the most difficult run-ins to close out the season with fixtures against both Manchester teams, Everton, Chelsea, West Ham, Leeds and Arsenal.

Steve Bruce’s men continue to struggle for good form; he has found his Newcastle team almost devoid of attacking players with a lengthy injury list. The Magpies unluckiness with injuries has resulted in them being even more goal-shy than Brighton with three goals in the last five matches. A win for Newcastle would move them to 16th place and 31 points. Newcastle also face teams that present serious goal threats in Spurs, West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Man City. Steve Bruce must be anxiously hopeful of welcoming goal-scorers and creators from injury sooner rather than later.

Adam Webster, Aaron Connolly, Florin Andone, Solly March and Tariq Lamptey remain out injured. Dan Burn, who had hamstring tightness in the game against Southampton, could be available for the game.

Newcastle have Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar and Allan Saint-Maximin out due to injury. Miguel Almiron is close to a fitness return and could make the squad.

Brighton kept four clean sheets in the Premier League between January 16th and February 3rd; however, they have not kept a clean sheet since then. The team was defensively compact during that period. They will need to return to that type of form to remain in the EPL, and Newcastle presents a massive opportunity to get a clean sheet with their depleted attack.

Potter is likely to set up with a 4-4-2 formation. He has set up his team to play possession football out from the back with Ben White, who has an excellent passing range, distributes the ball anywhere on the field. Brighton will need to get the ball to players like Adam Lallana and Pascal Groß, who can shoot from a distance or play in Trossard, Welbeck and Maupy. It will be difficult for them as Newcastle play a defensively compact game but have only managed two clean sheets in the last eight games. Their defensive struggles are partly attributable to their inability to hold the ball up and get the team up the pitch. They will also be looking for a clean sheet against a goal-shy Brighton.

Steve Bruce has deployed 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-3 formations. Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Frazer, playing in a false nine role, provide quality ball distribution. Newcastle, do not have any attackers capable of holding up the ball and allowing them to move up the pitch. They will need to look to play in pacey Dwight Gayle and Joelinton.

Both teams cannot afford to lose this game as the loser will take a massive step closer to relegation. The defence will be on top with these goal-shy teams; however, both teams have quality on set pieces. Corners and freekicks could be pivotal in deciding who wins the game. Brighton playing at home; will have the initiative, we are going for a 2-0 home win.