Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says his team have no fear going into their potenially season defining encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Magpies can regain their four point gap over Liverpool in the Champions League places and crank up the pressure on Liverpool who take on Aston Villa at Anfield. If United beat Brighton and Aston Villa defeat Liverpool, it will be all over at the weekend and Newcastle would qualify for the Champions League without kicking ball before their Monday game against Leicester.
Howe said: "It's one we are looking forward to. "I think it will be a really good game between two excellent teams.
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"I have got a lot of respect for Brighton and what they have done this season. And how they play, watching them against Arsenal in their last match I was hugely impressed.
"I think it's going to be a really tough assignment for us but one at home we are not fearful of, we are going to take a big step forward."
Regardless of what happens with Liverpool, Newcastle can secure Champions League action with wins against the Seagulls then Leicester in the next week or so. Howe doesn't care whether Newcastle book their place at St James' Park or at Stamford Bridge in the final game.
Howe said: "Just to do it. "Ideally, yes at home but I think we aren't looking too far ahead. It is small steps. We can't look at other teams fixtures or external factors we have to look very much internally and we have to bring our A-game.
"Because this is going to be a really tactical game. It will be an intriguing game and hopefully we can show our best."
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