Newcastle United vs. Brighton and Hove Albion – EPL, September 20, 2020

Could there be brighter days ahead for Newcastle? After another summer of takeover rumors and disappointments, the final days of the offseason brought some welcome news in the form of transfer signings.

Everything clicked on the opening day of the season and this week Newcastle entertains Brighton at St James’ Park.

There is a renewed sense of optimism at Newcastle and last weekend’s win away from home at West Ham suggested that Steve Bruce might be getting his players to perform. I’m surprised that BetOnline has this game as close as it has, therefore. Graham Potter is doing a good job at Brighton but I don’t see the Seagulls coming away with anything on Sunday.

When Newcastle unveiled Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, and Jamal Lewis just before the season started the response was mostly surprise, as soccer fans had gotten used to the club lurching from crisis to crisis rather than signing three very good players who could transform the fortunes of the club.

Wilson went on to score in the first game at West Ham last weekend – as did another summer signing, Jeff Hendrick. Suddenly the newspaper headlines are about the players on the pitch rather than the latest controversy surrounding the sale of the club.

Brighton is generally thought to be a much better run club – but it is one of the bog favorites to go down once again. It signed a whole host of players in an attempt to improve on last season’s showing and there was a lot of faith put in Adam Lallana to organize the midfield after his move from Liverpool.

That faith looks misguided now, as he has pulled up injured already. He has had a lot of trouble over the past few seasons and it looks as though Brighton may not be able to count on him as much as it had hoped. It could be a tough season for Brighton if it doesn’t pick up some points early on.

It is far too early to get too excited about Newcastle’s chances this season but the players that have come into the club have definitely given the place a boost – and provide a basis for some confidence this season. Brighton will put up a good fight here – as always – but won’t have enough firepower to really compete.