Eddie Howe will likely name an unchanged line-up tomorrow from the side that cruised to a 2-0 win against Brentford last weekend.
If Newcastle do exactly that they would have fielded the same team for the third-straight Premier League game, a testament to the consistency shown on the pitch in recent weeks.
Talk on the Toon has centred around Allan Saint-Maximin’s fitness, with the winger sidelined since the 1-0 victory against Aston Villa last month.
Howe spoke pre-match to confirm that the Magpies’ star player had returned to Tyneside following rehabilitation in France but said he will undergo a late fitness test before the Brighton clash.
A win will not see Newcastle climb any further up the table this weekend. However, a jam-packed St James’ Park, a buoyant dressing room and an opposing side who are slightly out of form offers the Magpies a golden chance to open up a gap on the bottom three.
Goalkeeper
Martin Dubravka is the undisputed number one on Tyneside and that status is unlikely to be challenged when the teamsheet is announced at 2pm on Saturday.
As long as the Slovakian shot-stopper is fit, he will always be the first-choice goalkeeper despite Howe having a plethora of options at his disposal.
Defence
A resolute backline has been the cornerstone of the Magpies’ turnaround in recent weeks, with just two goals conceded in the last five games.
January additions Dan Burn and Matt Targett have slotted into life at Newcastle seamlessly and the former will likely line up against his old club for the first time.
Skipper Jamaal Lascelles risks becoming somewhat of a forgotten man as Fabian Schar continues to look impervious in defence.
One dilemma for Howe could be at right-back, with Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth battling it out for that berth while Kieran Trippier remains sidelined.
The Swedish international did not put a foot wrong last weekend and can expect to retain his place in the back four.
Midfield
If the defence serves as the cornerstone, the midfield has certainly been the springboard for Newcastle’s resurgent league form.
The ‘triple Jo’ combination of Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton and Joe Willock all look like new players under Howe and provide the Magpies with the fight, legs and, most of all, skill in the middle of the park.
Fans are clamouring to see £40million man Bruno Guimaraes given a starting berth but, as long as the three players on the pitch continue to deliver the goods, he will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Attack
Howe’s biggest dilemma is whether to thrust Saint-Maximin back into the side if fit.
A four-point cushion from the relegation zone means Newcastle do not need to risk their star player as desperately as they would have done a month or so ago.
One caveat to consider would be the precedent it could set to introduce the 24-year-old back into the starting XI despite the team’s impressive form.
Ryan Fraser will start after his Premier League Player of the Month nomination, with Chris Wood leading the line once again.
The 30-year-old will be desperate to get the monkey off his back by scoring his first goal in Newcastle colours.
Newcastle predicted XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Shelvey, Willock, Joelinton, Murphy, Fraser, Wood.
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