Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

With Newcastle United stuck in 15th place and Brighton pushing for a European finish in sixth, this St. James' Park clash carries genuine stakes. Eddie Howe's side have lost five league games in a row and urgently need points at home. Brighton arrive in exceptional form — 13 points from their last five outings — powered by Danny Welbeck, who has 13 goals this season and already bagged a brace in the Seagulls' 2-1 win at the Amex in October. Newcastle will lean heavily on Bruno Guimarães (9 goals), though the loss of the injured Anthony Gordon (hip) is a serious blow. Injury problems compound the home side's misery: Fabian Schär and Tino Livramento are also out, while Brighton are missing Evan Ferguson, Solly March and James Milner. The visitors have gone six meetings without defeat against Newcastle, and nothing about their current form suggests that run ends here. Our prediction: 1-2.