Preview: Seagulls Aim To Take Flight Against Magpies

Brighton and Hove Albion will look to get their season back on track when they travel to Tyneside this Saturday.

The Seagulls face in-form Newcastle United, undefeated in seven Premier League matches, with supporters bracing themselves for a 700-mile round trip.

Albion, in stark contrast to their hosts, have suffered three defeats on the bounce, failing to trouble the scorers in their previous 285 minutes of top-flight action.

Newcastle's home form has picked up in recent weeks, but over the season they've won just three of 13 matches played at St James' Park.

Newcastle have just three league wins on home soil this season (Soccer Stats)

On the road this season the Seagulls have been a tough nut to crack; beaten just twice — at Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Brighton have the eighth best away form in the league this season (Soccer Stats)

Amassing a league-high total of seven away draws, victories were registered on the road at Burnley, Brentford, Everton and Watford.

Newcastle's Dan Burn is expected to line-up against Brighton for the first time since his £12.5m move from the Amex.

  
Form guide

The Seagulls have won only one of their previous nine matches in all competitions, but remain in the top half of the table.

Graham Potter's side suffered their third successive PL defeat without scoring when going down 0-2 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Magpies won 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium last Saturday, and have now picked up 15 points from a possible 21 as they look to climb away from the bottom of the table.

Ryan Fraser has been particularly impressive in recent games, and has been nominated for February's PL Player of the Month award.

Eddie Howe has been nominated for the Manager of the Month gong, with his troops sitting second in the form table.

Form table. Credit: The Fishy.

Newcastle United Premier League form:
D W W W D W

Brighton and Hove Albion Premier League form:
D D W L L L

The two sides have met on 29 occasions, with Brighton winning 12, Newcastle nine and eight draws.

Newcastle have never beaten Albion in nine Premier League encounters, with five wins for the Seagulls and four draws.

Team news

The home side's Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier remain sidelined, while it's yet to be revealed whether Allan Saint-Maximin will return from injury after missing the last two games.

Adam Webster isn't expected to feature for Brighton as he recovers from a groin strain, but Adam Lallana may return to the squad.

Long-term absentees Tudor Baluta and Enock Mwepu remain out, although the latter trained on Thursday and could be back in contention later this month.

Jeremy Sarmiento has returned to training and will be involved with the squad, although the teenage winger remains short of match fitness.

Probable line-ups

Newcastle United (4-3-3)

Brighton and Hove Albion (3-5-1-1)

Prediction: Newcastle 1 - 1 Brighton

The Magpies have been galvanised by a busy January transfer window and are a different proposition to the dishevelled gaggle of misfits overseen by Mike Ashley, Steve Bruce and co.

Brighton have a fantastic away record though, and a penchant for sharing the spoils on the road. Expect a low-scoring stalemate.