Magpies the favourites to win - Hughton

NEWCASTLE United will be relieved to finally be facing a side not in the top six of the Premier League - according to Brighton boss Chris Hughton.

The Magpies go into their encounter with the Seagulls as 5/4 favourites and the ex-Toon manager is wary of a change in mood in the Newcastle camp.

Looking ahead to the clash, Hughton said: “Looking at it logically, they are favourites at home.

“They are similar to us - we have played four of the top six and think they have played five.

“It will be a little bit of a relief and a release for them they are not playing a team in the top six.

“We have had very tough games and this is a very difficult away game for us.”

However, Brighton have not won a game in 17 attempts away from home.

Hughton added: “The challenge for us to be better away from home with regards to picking up points.

“They will look at it very similarly. We are a lesser team playing in this division.

“We won promotion the season before last, last season was our first in the division.

“It is tougher away from home. Every game is a difficult game.

“The large majority of teams we play have more experience in this division, bigger teams who have invested more heavily.

“It is the levels, you have to play well away from home to get anything.”