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Predicted Newcastle team v Brighton for Sunday

7 years ago
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Here is the predicted Newcastle team v Brighton that I think Rafa Benitez will choose for Sunday afternoon’s game.

Despite winning two games in a row, it didn’t stop Rafa Benitez shaking things up with three changes against Stoker, and I think he will do similar again.

Less than seven months ago, the United boss went with a surprise selection at Brighton, leaving Murphy, Mitrovic and Perez on the bench and with Gayle out injured, he went for Yoan Gouffran as his lone striker in this team:

Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Colback, Atsu, Diame, Gouffran

Mohamed Diame scored in the 81st minute and Ayoze Perez the winner on 89 minutes.

Rafa didn’t make any subs until Daryl Murphy came on for Jack Colback with 16 minutes to go and then Ayoze Perez for Yoan Gouffran a minute after Newcastle had equalised.

As you can see, only five of that side started last Saturday against Stoke – defenders Yedlin, Lascelles and Clark, as well as Ritchie on the wing and Diame the number 10 position.

I can’t see Rafa messing with his back five on Sunday and expect it to be Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark and Mbemba once again.

Likewise, I think the centre of midfield will still be Merino and Hayden. The Spaniard has been outstanding in this three game winning run and whilst Hayden wasn’t great against Swansea or Stoke, he did okayish and I can’t see any way in which Rafa would choose to go with a Merino/Shelvey pairing.

Ritchie is arguably the first name on the team sheet whilst Atsu was back on form against Stoke and scored his first ever Premier League goal, plus having played well at Brighton last season and getting an assist for Perez’ winner, I can’t see him being left out.

However, I do have a feeling that Rafa might shake it up in the front two positions.

Mohamed Diame returns to the scene of his stunning (cough cough) goal last season and I think he might get a surprise recall. The former Hull player replaced Perez late on last Saturday and I think he could well start in his place.

Rafa Benitez likes to keep players interested and whilst Ayoze Perez did have one of his better matches against Stoke, he still struggles to provide a threat to the opposition goal – in over two seasons of Premier League football he still only has three assists. So whilst most fans don’t see Diame adding much/any creativity either, the more physical and quicker Diame may get a run out.

Up front as well I think Rafa might see time for a change.

Joselu has played his part in all three wins but the Stoke match reminded us when missing three sitters that the 27 year old’s career goalscoring record isn’t exactly lethal, never having scored double figures in a top division league season (only for Real Madrid reserves in the third tier of Spanish football).

Much I think will depend on how Dwight Gayle has looked in training and if the sharpness is there, I think we will also see him get a run out, even though last Saturday saw Joselu still doing well with the other aspects of his game.

My predicted Rafa Benitez Newcastle team v Brighton:

To create the image above, Dale used the NUFC team selector.

You can do the same by following the simple instructions HERE and then there are a number of great options where you can then also share your team via Twitter (include @nufcthemag in your tweet and we will share some of them with our 21k+ followers) , or you can share the selector on Facebook with friends, family and the rest of the black and white world. Alternatively, simply downloading the team image to the device you are using

When using the NUFC team selector you simply click on what team formation (4-3-3, 4-4-2 etc) you want, then click each position on the pitch and choose from the Newcastle United squad.

Go to the NUFC team selector now and choose and share your Newcastle team v Brighton.

Before every match, simply go to the menu at the top of this screen and click features, then on the drop down list click NUFC Team Selector and choose your team for every match.

Brighton v Newcastle Match Betting:

All Brighton v Newcastle betting HERE

Brighton win 7/4 Newcastle win 19/10Draw 85/40

NUFC to win 2-0 13/1 Ritchie to score 1st goal 8/1Joselu to score first goal of match with a header 20/1

New customers to BetVictor qualify for up to a £40 welcome bonus in free bets.
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