Michael Owen makes bold Brighton prediction ahead of Newcastle relegation showdown

Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen anticipates a tight relegation contest as Brighton welcome Newcastle to the Amex tonight
Michael Owen anticipates a tough relegation battle at the Amex Stadium tonightMichael Owen anticipates a tough relegation battle at the Amex Stadium tonight
Michael Owen anticipates a tough relegation battle at the Amex Stadium tonight

Brighton, who are three points above the drop zone with two games in hand on 18th placed Fulham, could have Dan Burn and Aaron Connolly available for the visit of Newcastle.

Defender Burn went off against Southampton last weekend as a precaution with a hamstring issue and striker Connolly is back in training after a cracked rib.

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Tariq Lamptey, Solly March and Adam Webster are still out injured.

"Newcastle travel to the South coast in search of a valuable victory as they continue their fight against the drop," wrote Owen in his Bet Victor predictions blog."The Geordies managed to rescue a point at Villa Park in their last outing, and given their poor form away from home, that would’ve done their confidence no harm at all.

"After a priceless win against Southampton, there is now a bit of daylight between Brighton and the relegation zone. However, the Seagulls cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

"I think this could be tight, but with Newcastle’s form on the road is so poor I’m leaning towards the home side to take the points."

Michael Owen prediction: Brighton 1-0 Newcastle.

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Newcastle striker Miguel Almiron could make the squad after returning to training this week.

The Paraguay international has missed the last two games with a knee injury and will be assessed as head coach Steve Bruce considers his options.

Fellow frontman Callum Wilson (hamstring) is also back on the grass, but the game will come too soon for both he and Allan Saint-Maximin (groin), while defender Fabian Schar continues his recovery from a knee problem.

Brighton provisional squad: Sanchez, Veltman, White, Dunk, Burn, Gross, Bissouma, Mac Allister, Trossard, Lallana, Maupay, Moder, Jahanbakhsh, Alzate, Welbeck, Izquierdo, Tau, Steele, Propper, Zeqiri.

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Newcastle provisional squad: Dubravka, Darlow, Krafth, Manquillo, Lewis, Dummett, Lascelles, Clark, Fernandez, Shelvey, Hayden, Hendrick, M. Longstaff, S. Longstaff, Murphy, Fraser, Willock, Ritchie, Anderson, Atsu, Joelinton, Almiron, Gayle, Carroll.