FA Cup | Fifth Round

Mar 2, 2025 at 1.45pm UK

St. James' Park

Newcastle vs Brighton

Match preview

Already guaranteed a trip to Wembley next month as they attempt to wrest the EFL Cup trophy from Liverpool's grasp, Newcastle are potentially just two wins away from another date under the arch as they look to end an FA Cup drought stretching back almost 70 years.

The Magpies, who last lifted the prestigious trophy in 1955, have made their case to be considered genuine contenders for the 2024-25 honour by scoring six goals in their opening two encounters with lower league opponents Bromley and, most recently, Birmingham.

However, it took a late Joe Willock strike to see off the Blues 3-2 last time out, and Eddie Howe's side have continued to concede at an alarming rate, with 11 goals conceded in their last three Premier League games.

A comprehensive 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in midweek left the hosts three points adrift of the Premier League's top four, but they have begun to rebuild the walls of St James' Park, with victories over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest following disappointing defeats to Fulham and Bournemouth.

The fifth round of the FA Cup also tends to bring out the best in the Magpies, who have won each of their last nine games at this stage of the competition, the last time being a quarter-final exit at the hands of Blackburn Rovers in 1992-93.

Before making light work of a listless Chelsea side in the Premier League, Brighton ended the Blues' dream of FA Cup glory in the fourth round, with a disastrous own goal from Bart Verbruggen in the opening five minutes proving to be the difference.

Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma spared the number one's blushes as the Seagulls reached the last 16 for the third successive season - a club record for the south coast outfit - and the elimination of Enzo Maresca's men was the catalyst for a sustained upturn in fortunes.

Having beaten Chelsea twice in the space of two matchdays, Fabian Hurzeler's men then hammered Southampton 4-1 in midweek, while Danny Welbeck's last-gasp winner gave them a 2-1 victory over Champions League-chasing Bournemouth.

Brighton will also make the long trip north having won four of their last five away from home and lost just one of their last eight away from home, a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest in early February.

Hurzeler did, however, mastermind a memorable 1-0 Premier League victory for his side at St James' Park in October, and in the same vein, Brighton have astonishingly won each of their last four FA Cup games against Newcastle without conceding a single goal.

Recent Performance

Newcastle United FA Cup form:WW

Newcastle United form (all competitions):LWWLWL

Brighton & Hove Albion FA Cup form:WW

Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):LLWWWW

Team News

Liverpool fans were disappointed to see Alexander Isak's name missing from the Newcastle team sheet on Wednesday night, as the Sweden international missed the defeat at Anfield with a minor groin complaint and Howe was unable to guarantee his availability in his pre-match press conference.

However, the Magpies boss did confirm that both Joelinton and Sven Botman are working hard to recover from knee injuries in time to feature, and their potential returns could leave long-term absentee Jamaal Lascelles in the treatment room.

Callum Wilson will undoubtedly be expected to operate up front for the hosts if Isak is not fit, but Will Osula should not be discounted; the 21-year-old set up two goals in the win over Birmingham and is averaging a goal or assist every 48 minutes in the FA Cup.

As for Brighton, Hurzeler confirmed on Friday morning that he expects to name the same side that beat Bournemouth, meaning Lewis Dunk (ribs), Joel Veltman (ankle), Igor Julio (knee), James Milner (thigh), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) and Jason Steele (shoulder) are all out.

The only other absentee for the Seagulls will be cup-tied goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, but Verbruggen was always going to be between the sticks despite his fourth-round error.

Hurzeler faces a dilemma of sorts in the final third for Sunday's game, with Welbeck, Joao Pedro and Rutter - who has four goals and two assists in his last three FA Cup games - all vying for two central roles.

Possible starting lineup

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley; Murphy, Wilson, Gordon

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Lamptey, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck