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The Premier League loves to throw up big games every weekend, and this tie between Newcastle and Brighton should fit that bill comfortably. Both teams come into this game in an odd run of form, with Newcastle only winning one of their last six. Brighton have won three, but both teams are struggling a little for form and could use the points.

Newcastle News

The Toon need the points because their top four chase is fading fast. A 2-0 reverse at home to Liverpool has left them both missing their goalkeeper Tom Pope and also missing their confidence. Earlier on in the season, the Magpies looked like one of the form teams in England with a system that worked well for them allowing for easy and effective control of the game.

However, Newcastle have lost much of their previous form and now look a shadow of their former selves. Goals are hard to come by at the moment, and they are also conceding more having had one of the best defences in the league.

Brighton News

Brighton have fared better than Newcastle, but have endured the dreaded win, draw, and loss in their last three games. Their last result, a home defeat, was a big surprise and left the Seagulls looking for answers. New coach Roberto di Zerbi has arguably improved the club over what Graham Potter was able to produce, but they do look a touch more combustible.

Already, the Italian tactician has made noises about being unhappy. Another defeat here could see Brighton lose pace with the European qualifying teams, which would likely cause the divide to open further.

Verdict

Both teams need a result, and that desperation can lead to some mistakes on the part of both sides. Newcastle need to get it together soon, but this could be a tough game for them as they face off against a tough side that know how to counter Newcastle’s style.

SCORE: 2-2

It must be hard to come through the Southampton academy, with fans desperate for the ‘next Matt le Tissier’ to shine through. James Ward-Prowse might not have the goalscoring prowess of the Saints legend, but he has established himself as an international standard midfielder.

Capable of scoring and setting teammates in live play and especially from dead balls, few players have been compared to David Beckham with such justification before. And like the former England legend, what Ward-Prowse lacks in pace and power he makes up for with incredible technical and tactical smarts.

What makes James Ward-Prowse worth watching?

For Ralph Hasenhüttl, few midfielders in England suit his system more. The Saints number eight has contributed 8 goals and 5 assists in just 29 league games, all starts. He is a more or less ever-present for Saints. Capable of playing in central midfield as well as doing a shift at full-back, Ward-Prowse is a versatile player who has the passing, technique, and positioning to play just about anywhere he could be asked.

In short, he is a burst of pace away from being a player who competes at the very highest level of football.

Things to improve for James Ward-Prowse

If you were to look at Ward-Prowse, you might wonder where he can improve. His passing is sharp yet ambitious, he is consistent, he works hard on both sides of the ball, and he retains tactical influence. He also tackles, works back, keeps the ball well, and can compete excellently in the air.

Add in incredible long distance shooting and set-piece delivery, and the main thing Ward-Prowse needs to add is a touch of physicality. With a small bit more athleticism, he could hold his own even more in midfield and burst by players with an extra yard of pace. Even if he was merely to become more consistent, though, Ward-Prowse has all the makings of a long-term fixture within the Premier League.

Seen as a flighty and lightweight winger in the past, Harvey Barnes has developed into a key player for Leicester City in the last eighteen months. At just 23 years of age, he has started in 22 league games for Leicester, and was also crucial in their European run which ended with defeat to Slavia Prague.

In the league, he has contributed a very impressive nine goals so far in the season. A talented wide player who can come inside and finish with aplomb, he uses his stocky build well to fight with full-backs.

What makes Harvey Barnes worth watching?

For one, he can play in a wide variety of roles, regularly playing on the left-hand side of attack or off the forward for the Foxes. His passing is excellent, too, and has become a regular contributor for teammates. He avoids getting involved in overplaying, too, and tends to be useful for laying off forwards like Jamie Vardy and playing in teammates with short, sharp passing.

His quality on the ball is excellent, and his contribution in goals and assists has steadily improved, ensuring he remains a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Things to improve for Harvey Barnes

For Barnes, the main limit stems from his inability to use his physicality elsewhere. Despite being energetic and willing, he often fails to track the opposition well enough and can be caught out making poor decisions. He also tends to be a poor crosser of the ball for someone with such quality, albeit he often plays with his weaker foot on the outside.

However, for Barnes, using some of that stocky strength and charisma going forward to help out going back the way would help to add another layer of quality to his game. Given his improvement in the last year-plus, though, his progression has been highly impressive.

When Everton signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, or DCL, from Sheffield United it was seen as a hopeful punt. Under several managers, the striker failed to really show the quality that one would want – he worked hard, but struggled to score on a regular basis. The Evertonian, though, now sits with a whopping 21 goals this season from 36 games in all competitions. Having made his mark at both international level and with his club side, DCL looks set to become a fixture at Premier League level for years to come.

What makes Dominic Calvert-Lewin worth watching?

It is rare that a player works so hard to aggressively bully a defence these days. Clearly, he has worked with Duncan Ferguson behind the scenes to become more assertive and aggressive. DCL is now a bullish forward who can finish with both feet, attack the ball in the air or from a standing position, and get teammates involved.

While he has no assists this year, he does create chances for his teammates and tends to be a threat in live play and from set pieces. While a quality finisher now, it is by no means the only part of his game.

Things to improve for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Where coach Carlo Ancelotti could do with improving the game of DCL, though, is in his passing. Often, layoffs can go underused due to a lack of finesse in the pass. He can also lose his temper quite easily, and it can lead to needless bookings that then dilute what he can do on and off the ball.

Defensively, too, improvements are needed. Despite working hard to pressure the defence when attacking, he does not make the same effort when trying to get the ball back for Everton. A small change in his passing and his defensive output, though, would put Calvert-Lewin up there with the best in England.

Having been one of a glut of signings by Fulham on their previous jaunt to the Premier League, Cameroon midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was loaned out after relegation. Having played a big role at Olympique Marseille before coming to England, he impressed in Spain as well when on loan with Villarreal.

His return to the English game has seen Anguissa take on an ever-growing role, with the 25-year-old far more ready for the duties of the Premier League than he was the first time around.

What makes André-Frank Zambo Anguissa worth watching?

Although he rarely contributes with goals or assists, with just four across all competitions, he has been a key player for Fulham thanks to this physicality. His passing is crisp and sharp, too, and his ability to avoid picking up suspensions – only five yellow cards in 29 Premier League games this year so far – makes him a far more reliable player than many expected.

Add in his ability to play both midfield positions easy and he could slot into most sides. His excellence in the air ensures he also offers another useful asset from set-pieces, as well.

Things to improve for André-Frank Zambo Anguissa

The main issue for the player is that he simply cannot contribute offensively enough. Though his forward passing has improved as the year has gone on, linked to the confidence of the wider Fulham side, he does tend to lack a final pass in the key moments.

However, his game is mostly built on defensive contribution as opposed to offensive volume. His ability to bring the ball up the pitch is a useful asset, but it often lacks that final touch to help set up a move. If Anguissa could add a touch more decisive, killer passing to his game, he would be a near-complete central midfielder.