Scout report: A look at what Brighton and Hove Albion can expect from Newcastle United

The last two fixtures between these sides ended in 0-0 draws, which isn't surprising considering Newcastle finished fourth bottom for goals scored in the Premier League last season (38), and Brighton one place above them (39).

How do Newcastle play?

This clash is very much the old school way of playing vs the new school.

Bruce plays a 4-4-2 system and opts for a more direct, long-ball approach, in comparison to Potter's build-from-the-back expansive football philosophy.

The majority of Newcastle's goals last season came from knock-downs from the strikers to midfielders or from crosses into the box, both patterns of play often resulting in busy goalmouth scrambles.

A good statistic to back this long-ball approach claim up is: in their first game of this season away at West Ham, Andy Carroll won a total of 12 aerial duels in his 88 minutes on the pitch.

The Magpies' other source of goals can come from long shots, more so from down the middle of the pitch, with Jonjo Shelvey, Jeff Hendrick and Alain Saint Maximin all capable of scoring from outside of the box.

To further add to the old school stereotype, Newcastle's ill-discpline saw them finish fifteenth in the Fair Play table last season after they picked up a total of 65 yellow cards, three straight red cards and three second yellow cards.

The Newcastle side which is likely to turn out against Brighton also has a spine of English players, with Karl Darlow, Jamal Lascelles, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Andy Carroll and Callum Wilson all set to feature.

Bruce quite clearly knows how he wants his team to play and who he wants to execute it; a classic English kick and rush side.

Brighton set-up

Potter's team will need to rely on their footballing ability to beat Newcastle, because they aren't going to win in a scrap - Brighton had the fifth best disciplinary record last season in the league, picking up 55 yellow cards in total.

A 3-5-2 formation may be changed to a 4-3-2-1 system, which is all dependent on if Ben White passes a late fitness test. If he fails, then Dan Burn could step in and Potter may revert to a back four.

If White does play, he and Lewis Dunk will have their hands full with Carroll. With that said, let's take a look at some of the battles that may pop up tomorrow.

White vs Carroll

The striker has the aerial advantage at 6ft 4inch over White, who is 6ft 1inch.

Carroll recorded four shots in his last game against West Ham, and was awarded a 7.6 rating from WhoScored.com for his overall performance. This gives you an indicator into the player's current mindset and form - when he's fit and on song, he causes damage.

However, White, who plays out from the back, will be given time on the ball as Carroll isn't instructed to press hard, which could allow Brighton to play their own expansive passing game.

It will be another good test for White, but given Newcastle's physicality and the young Englishman's injury concerns, I don't think he will start. And if this is the case, White's tough afternoon will fall to Lewis Dunk, who will more than likely have a solid game.

Saint Maximin vs Lamptey

This is the duel to look out for, that is if Saint Maximin is fit enough to play.

Two of the fastest players in the Premier League and also two of the most promising young talents in the top-flight, with Saint Maximin aged 23 and Lamptey 19.

It will be interesting to see how Potter asks Lamptey to play in this one, if Brighton play a back four, Lamptey will have the sole task of stopping Saint Maximin, which he is more than capable of doing.

But if a 3-5-2 formation is deployed, it's more a case of high-risk and high-reward. It would break the game wide open from the off, with Saint Maximin able to run in behind Lamptey and vice-versa.

Maupay vs Lascelles

Newcastle kept 11 clean sheets last season with Lascelles at the heart of the defence.

Neal Maupay often seems like he struggles against the bigger more physical defenders, and tomorrow will be another challenge against the 6ft 2inch centre-back.

Likely to be playing up front on his own, Maupay will be putting in the hard yards to drag his marker back and open up space on the edge of the box for the likes of Trossard and Pascal Gross, for example, to work some magic.

I think it will have to be a selfless display from Maupay, running into the channels and looking for scraps and tap-ins when he can.

Final thoughts

These are two teams who play a totally different style of football; Potter's low-centre of gravity, energetic forwards will need to out-think the physical, no-nonsense powerhouses of Newcastle.

And however predictable Newcastle might be, it'll be a long 90 minutes defending against Carroll, Saint Maximin, Wilson et al.

Prediction: 1-1

Goals: Trossard and Wilson