JOHNGIBSON Striker’s push for Euros will be Toon gain
WILSON ET AL CAN HELP MAGPIES FINISH SEASON WITH A FLOURISH
NEWCASTLE United can’t clinch a place in Europe in front of their own supporters tomorrow.
Eddie Howe’s team though can strengthen their grip on sixth place and put themselves a big step closer to Europe with three points against the Seagulls. Then they will have to wait to see the outcome of Chelsea’s game tomorrow night at Nottingham Forest and see what Super Sunday brings as Man United face Arsenal at home.
The combination of a Newcastle win and defeats for the Blues and Red Devils would leave Howe’s team requiring one point from their last two matches away to Man United and then Brentford. Of course, winning all three games would guarantee either a slot in Europa Conference League or Europa League and there’s an outside chance of catching Spurs in fifth place. But it is now down to Howe’s team maintaining that winning mentality and avoiding reliance on others.
The Seagulls staved off their posteuropean hangover by beating Aston Villa 1-0 last weekend. They’d gone six games in all competitions without a win since beating AS Roma 1-0 in the Europa League in March on a night in which they bowed out of Europe 4-1 on aggregate.
Newcastle were blown away by an Evan Ferguson hat-trick back in September in a 3-1 loss but since then Brighton have struggled to keep pace. They will end the season fighting for a place in the top 10 and Europe is beyond them.
It gives Newcastle a great chance of getting some revenge after that difficult loss in September. I’ll go for a 3-0 win for Howe’s team.
Darren England (Doncaster)
The man in the middle is a Fifalisted official and regarded highly by Premier League chiefs.
Three
SJP
Seven
This
Tripps,