Newcastle United travel to take on Brighton and Hove Albion this evening.
David Prutton at Sheffield Wednesday
Pundit David Prutton has told Sky Sports that he thinks Brighton and Hove Albion will beat Newcastle United 2-1 at the Amex Stadium this evening.
With the final third of the Championship season now upon us, the race for promotion to the Premier League is entering the final stretch – and the top two meet tonight.
League leaders Brighton and Hove Albion picked up a superb 3-0 win over fifth-placed Reading on Saturday evening, with clinical finishing from Sam Baldock, Jamie Murphy and Anthony Knockaert sealing the win.
Chris Hughton’s men moved back to the top of the table with that win, and have now dropped just four points in the last five games as the Seagulls gather momentum for the promotion run-in.
Hughton takes on former club Newcastle United this evening, after the Magpies surrendered top spot thanks to a 2-2 home draw with struggling Bristol City – a game in which Newcastle fell to a 2-0 deficit before making a comeback.
Rafael Benitez’s men have been a little unconvincing of late, drawing 2-2 three times in the last six games, and third-placed Huddersfield now lie just five points behind them.
The pressure is now mounting on the pre-season favourites for promotion, and pundit David Prutton has told Sky Sports that he expects Newcastle to lose 2-1 at the Amex Stadium this evening.
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring
Prutton believes Brighton are simply too ruthless in the final third and will be full of confidence after their win over Reading, whilst he’s also worried about Newcastle’s fortunes without injured striker Dwight Gayle.
“From what I saw of Brighton against a promotion rival on Saturday, they were very, very good,” said Prutton. “Reading had a lot of the ball but Brighton were so clinical. They were decisive and really put them to the sword. Chris Hughton’s side go into Tuesday’s match in ridiculously good form and will be full of confidence.”
“Newcastle piled the pressure on Bristol City in the second half and it was an absolute onslaught. They should have won that game. It’s all set to be a really close match at the Amex but I think Brighton have the edge. Their attacking players have been in the goals recently while Newcastle will be missing Dwight Gayle. You worry about Newcastle when he’s not in the team,” he added.
What is your prediction for Brighton v Newcastle?
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