Brighton & Hove Albion Manager, Poyet is pleased that this Saturday will see the third Premiership team to play at the American Express Community Stadium this season - it will be a really exciting game for both fans and players.  Gus Poyet hopes that his impressive playing record against Newcastle United will continue into his management career on Saturday, but admitted that his Albion players must be on the top of their game.  The Uruguayan scored six goals from 13 appearances against the Toon Army between 1998 and 2003 and he hopes that good fortune will continue now that he is a manager.  Poyet said ‘Newcastle were always a team that I liked to play against as a player.  I have been lucky enough to score a lot of goals against Newcastle, which includes a goal in the FA Cup semi-final in 2000.  I have very good memories against Newcastle so I can't complain’.

Gus Poyet thinks the Albion have a chance against Newcastle.  The Seagulls need to be as good as they were when we beat Sunderland in August to get a result, he expects Alan Pardew to select the strongest Newcastle team available.  Gus admits that he has got some tough decisions to make regarding the fitness of players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Newcastle United.

Brighton’s Kazenga LuaLua is especially keen to face Newcastle United.  The 21-year-old, who started his career with the Magpies aged 11, suffered the injury almost three weeks ago.  Boss Gus Poyet said LuaLua had done all he could to prove his fitness.  LuaLua said, ‘It would mean a lot to me to play.  I joined Newcastle when my brother (Blackpool forward Lomana LuaLua) was playing there.  LuaLua says he would perform his trademark back-flip celebration if he played and scored against the Premier League outfit. 

Seagulls star Will Buckley was a Newcastle fan as a boy – Alan Shearer his hero.  Buckley’s aim is to score at least ten goals for the Seagulls this season.  Commenting on his winning goal at Peterborough last week, Buckley says knew he had hit the ball well.  One thing is for sure if he scores on Saturday - he won’t be doing any somersaults – he might damage his hamstring!

Meanwhile, Newcastle United Manager Alan Pardew has said he would take a draw at The Amex when his top flight Magpies fly south for the Battle of the Birds in the FA Cup Fourth Round on Saturday.  He has told press in the North East that he is expecting an epic contest when the two clubs meet live on TV.

And it was a sentiment shared by Newcastle’s goalkeeper Steve Harper, who spent a short spell on loan at The Amex earlier in the season.  He said, ‘Brighton are very comfortable on the ball and play total football, and I can’t see the ball being in the air much.  They have two very good centre-backs (in Gordon Greer and Lewis Dunk) and have a lot of strength elsewhere too. The Amex will be full and Brighton have nothing to lose.  It’ll be a lively atmosphere, but it will be up to us to stop Brighton on what will be a tough evening.  It could be a cracking game.’


Brighton & Hove Albion are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Magpies (W2 D2).
Brighton & Hove Albion have won their last two FA Cup meetings with Newcastle United.
Brighton & Hove Albion have lost only one of their last 11 FA Cup games at home (W6 D4).
Newcastle has not made it past the fourth round since the 2005/06 season.
Newcastle has won none of their last eight FA Cup matches away from home.