BBC Sport pundit weighs in with Newcastle United analysis – Difficult to disagree with any of this


 
 
 
 
 
 

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game at St James’ Park

Eddie Howe and his players looking to follow on from last Saturday’s demolition job on Burnley.

Chris Sutton was at Turf Moor to watch that 4-1 away win, now pointing out to BBC Sport what he sees as the relevant situations of the two clubs as Newcastle United take on Brighton, is Chris Sutton getting it right this time?

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 8 May 2024:

“I watched Newcastle at Turf Moor last week and their twin-pronged attack of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak took Burnley apart.

“Wilson was phenomenal on the day and Isak has been excellent all season, while Anthony Gordon looked sharp for the Magpies too, and Bruno Guimaraes was running midfield.

“It was important for Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi that his side got back to winning ways against Aston Villa, but it is hard to see them getting anything here.

“I always felt that finishing the season strongly was a really big deal for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, and his side are flying at the moment.

“Prediction: Newcastle 3 Brighton 1”

Difficult to disagree with anything much of that really.

Eddie Howe’s side have won four of their last five Premier League matches and apart from the blip at Selhurst Park against an in form Palace side who played really well, Newcastle have scored 13 goals in their other three of four most recent matches.

In comparison, Brighton got their first win last weekend since 10 March 2024, that was a 1-0 against a knackered and demoralised Aston Villa side who less than 72 hours earlier had lost 4-2 at home to Olympiakos.

Joining Chris Sutton on BBC Sport to preview this weekend’s matches, is Kasabian frontman and Leicester City fan Serge Pizzorno, who has been celebrating his team going up as champions, this is what he had to say ahead of the game at St James’ Park:

“Newcastle are going to give their fans a nice send-off.

“Brighton have found out how difficult it is to stay in the top six – we found out the same, because that extra game in Europe each week can be brutal.

“They are in a similar situation to a lot of clubs who do well and build something but then find a few of their best players get picked off by bigger teams, and everyone wants their manager too.

“It’s sad but you can’t really stop it happening, and it gets harder to sustain that success.

“So what you have to do is just enjoy your moment in the sun when you get it, because it might not last. 

“Prediction: Newcastle 3 Brighton 1”