Newcastle have won just one of their past 11 matches
Brighton's last victory away at Newcastle was in March 1992
Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
Newcastle have lost their past five matches at home in the Premier League - no wonder Jamaal Lascelles looks like he can't believe what's been happening...
Image source, ReutersNewcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
Rafael Benitez has made 17 starting line-up changes for Newcastle from December 23rd onwards. By contrast, Burnley have made 17 all season.
Image source, ReutersNewcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
Alistair Mann
Match of the Day commentator at St. James’ Park
After unsurprisingly succumbing to their fifth successive home defeat at the hands of Manchester City in midweek, Newcastle can ill afford for the depressing run to extend to six.
Losing to the runaway league leaders is one thing, losing to a team close by in the table is quite another; especially as a win against Brighton would take them above their opponents.
The visitors bring a similarly bleak run of four successive away defeats to St James' Park, all without scoring.
It's a fact which only accentuates why, despite the constant talk of the need for reinforcements, that there will be an expectation of a more positive outcome by those who were prepared to accept the team's pragmatic and defensive approach on Wednesday.
Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
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Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
Rafael Benitez makes seven changes to his starting XI - Karl Darlow replaces the injured Rob Elliot in goal, with Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden, Mikel Merino, Christian Atsu, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle all coming in. Out go Chancel Mbemba, Javi Manquillo, Rolando Aarons, Mohamed Diame, Jonjo Shelvey and Jacob Murphy.
Newcastle starting XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Clark, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Merino, Atsu, Gayle, Joselu
Image source, BBC SportChris Hughton also rings the changes for Brighton in come Bruno, Gaetan Bong, Anthony Knockaert, Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray - out go Ezequiel Schelotto, Markus Suttner, Baram Kayal, Jose Izquierdo and Tomer Hemed.
Brighton starting XI: Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, March, Stephens, Propper, Knockaert, Gross, Murray
Image source, BBC SportNewcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)
Hello, and welcome to our coverage of Newcastle v Brighton from St James' Park. Without any further ado, let's take a look at the team news.