Newcastle United will host Brighton & Hove Albion today at St. James' Park, as both teams vie for advancement to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The match kicks off at 1:45 PM GMT, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as Newcastle fans hope their team can continue its pursuit of silverware.
With the FA Cup being one of the most coveted trophies, Newcastle is eager to end their near 70-year wait for major silverware since last winning the FA Cup in 1955. The Magpies have reached the Carabao Cup final and are determined to build momentum as they aim for another trophy this season.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe understands the significance of this match: "The FA Cup for me, as a kid, was always about dreaming of playing at Wembley. We want to create those memories for our fans, and every game, especially this one, is special." Newcastle approaches the match with determination, confident from their recent performances, including wins against lower-league teams Birmingham City and Bromley.
Brighton enters this contest with strong momentum, having won their last four matches following a disappointing 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this season. Under the management of Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton seeks to capitalize on their recent form to advance past Newcastle, having already defeated them 1-0 at St. James' Park this season. Hürzeler emphasized the importance of this match, saying, "It’s do or die; we have to go all-in. We know it’s not easy to play at St. James' Park, but we believe we can push our limits and have a chance to progress."
Statistically, Newcastle and Brighton's recent meetings favor Brighton, who have won six of their last 15 encounters against the Magpies. Despite this, Newcastle has progressed from each of their last nine FA Cup fifth-round ties since their last loss at this stage to Blackburn Rovers back in the 1992-93 season, helping bolster their confidence. Newcastle will look to maintain this streak, particularly as fans recall their previous successes.
Howe has made notable selections for today's lineup. Alexander Isak returns to lead the attack, recovering from recent fitness concerns, alongside Joelinton, who adds physicality and experience to the midfield. Both players will be pivotal to Newcastle's chances of success. Howe commented on Isak's return: "He’s pivotal to the way we play, and we’re delighted he’s back."
Brighton, meanwhile, has named Jack Hinshelwood to bolster their midfield, continuing their strategy of utilizing young talent effectively. Brighton’s lineup features the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter, both of whom have found recent success contributing goals and assists. Rutter, for example, has been involved in six goals over his last three FA Cup appearances.
Looking back at their previous FA Cup meetings, Brighton has enjoyed recent success against Newcastle, not conceding any goals during their last four FA Cup games against them. Hürzeler's squad hopes to continue this trend, especially after their strong showings against teams like Chelsea and Norwich City earlier this season.
The atmosphere at St. James' Park is anticipated to be fiery, with home supporters rallying behind their team. The significance of this tie cannot be overstated, as Newcastle not only looks for FA Cup glory but is also preparing for their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, which adds another layer of motivation to their campaign. The players have expressed their eagerness to make their fans proud, and victory today could pave the way for a trophy-laden season.
Stats show Newcastle has won just two of their last 15 meetings with Brighton across all competitions, and with Brighton's resurgence, today's match may very well be challenging for the Magpies. Howe will need to address their recent defensive lapses to avoid another upset.
Both teams know victory can lead them one step closer to the coveted FA Cup trophy. For Newcastle, it's about shaking off the disappointment from their recent league defeat against Liverpool, and for Brighton, it's about capitalizing on their momentum to establish their own history.
At the conclusion of this match, the draw for the next round will take place, heightening the stakes. The teams will need to display their best form to secure their place, and fans will eagerly await the outcome. With two teams hungry for glory, it promises to be an exhilarating battle at St. James' Park today.