Two teams level on points in the Premier League table do battle at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon as Newcastle United play host to Brighton & Hove Albion . The Magpies and the Seagulls played out a 1-1 draw in the North East the last time they butted heads in May of last season, with Joel Veltman 's opener cancelled out by Sean Longstaff . © Imago After winning three of their opening four Premier League matches, albeit in somewhat unconvincing fashion, Newcastle have since failed to come out on top in any of their last three games, with a 3-1 defeat at Fulham followed by back-to-back draws with Manchester City and Everton.
The Magpies claimed a respectable point in a 1-1 home draw with Man City before being forced to share the spoils in a goalless stalemate at Everton in their most recent match prior to the international break, with ex-Toffees winger Anthony Gordon failing to convert a first-half penalty beyond Jordan Pickford . Eddie Howe was left "frustrated" after his side 'snatched at chances' in the final third, but he believes that "big steps forward" were made from a defensive perspective and was pleased to come away from Goodison Park with their first clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season. The Magpies boss, who was allegedly not approached by the Football Association to become the new England manager, currently sees his team sitting seventh in the Premier League table , level on points with Saturday's opponents Brighton in sixth and only two point.