Newcastle United find themselves in a position not even the wildest optimists would have imagined a year ago. The black-and-whites are in the top four in the Premier League and only need two good results to ensure Champions League qualification for the first time in the last 20 years. But they’re not there yet.High-flying Brighton arrive at St. James’ Park tonight with ideas of their own. The club from the south coast of England is chasing its best Premier League finish ever and have a lot of confidence following the awe-inspiring 3-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. And they love playing Newcastle too.Eddie Howe had a message for Klopp on today’s press and said to Klopp that Newcastle are not worried about Liverpool in top 4 race. “It’s us against ourselves, really.”Previously, Klopp stated that Newcastle and Man United will be worried about Liverpool tracking them down in… pic.twitter.com/xaZPdXRak3— LiverpoolGoals (@Liverpoolgoals_) May 17, 2023 These teams met 11 times in the Premier League and Newcastle have only won one of those games – last season’s corresponding fixture. The Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe has a great record when facing the Seagulls, winning five and losing just one. His teams won all four hime games agaisnt the blue-and-whites.Liverpool, who have two games remaining, are still a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United in the top four, with Erik ten Hag’s side having three matches left to play. Howe says his team will have to be at 100% tactically to get the vital points. “I don’t feel like we’re being hunted. It’s us against ourselves, really. That’s how I see it. It’s us trying to be the best we can be. I’ve not focused on any other team all season. In my experience, I knew Liverpool were never far away because they are a top team. For us, we can’t look at it or compare ourselves to Liverpool. We just have to look at us.”Brighton are eight points adrift with four games to go, and Newcastle know victory in their last two home games – tonight and on Monday night against Leicester would guarantee a top-four finish. But counting points before you’ve earned them on the pitch is unacceptable, especially against a Brighton team that plays the best against the biggest opponents.##NAJAVA_MECA_7261751##The Seagulls have kept eight clean sheets versus the Magpies in the Premier League, more than against any other side. Their coach Roberto De Zerbi expects a “tough game” but he still urged his players to secure “historic results” and achieve their target in the final four games of the season. Victory would ensure they end at least seventh, their highest final position in a top-flight season, surpassing last year’s ninth-place finish.”At this part of the season, the most important part for my players is mentality. They need to accept the pressure and intensity… we have to be ready, we want to reach our target. Eddie Howe has done an incredible job, they deserve to play in the Champions League. They’re a very strong team. It will be a tough game for us but also them. We are fighting for history and to achieve history, we need historic results.”OPINION: Yanga threatens Gor Mahia’s 36-year-old recordNewcastle remain without Sean Longstaff, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles, while Jacob Murphy is doubtful with a groin issue. The visitors will miss Adam Webster, Joel Veltman, Solly March, as well as the long-term absentees Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder.PREMIER LEAGUERe-arranged gameThursday21.30: (2.15) Newcastle (3.60) Brighton (3.50)***odds are subject to change
