Brighton & Hove Albion are looking to extend their one-point lead over Newcastle United at the top of the Championship.
Few would have expected that with little over a quarter of the campaign to go, Brighton & Hove Albion would be ahead of Newcastle United in the Championship table.
Last season’s beaten play-off finalists have spent only a fraction of Newcastle’s outlay, with the Magpies keen to make their stay in the second-tier as short-lived as possible.
Nevertheless, only a point separates the two sides ahead of Tuesday’s encounter at the Amex Stadium, with Brighton unbeaten against Newcastle since 1989 on home soil.
Chris Hughton’s side are also the Championship’s best at home this season, while Newcastle, who have yet to beaten by the man who led them to the 2009-10 title, are the best on the road.
Brighton left-back Sebastien Pocognoli has recovered in time for the Magpies’ visit, although Toon boss Rafa Benitez is again without top scorer Dwight Gayle
Instead, Yoan Gouffran starts in front of Mohamed Diame in an unfamiliar front two, with Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic dropping out.
Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Dunk, Duffy, Pocognoli; Knockaert, Stephens, Sidwell, J. Murphy; Baldock, Murray.
Subs: Walton, Huenemeier, Tomori, Kayal, March, Hemed, Akpom.
Newcastle: Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Colback, Atsu; Diame; Gouffran.
Subs: Elliot, Hanley, Anita, Gamez, Perez, Mitrovic, D. Murphy.
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