The Magpies have won their last two at home, but have also failed to win their last two visits of Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion make the long trip north to face Newcastle United in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies and Seagulls both harbour genuine ambitions of winning the world’s oldest cup competition, with several of the competition’s big-hitters having made early exits. Newcastle haven’t won the FA Cup since 1955 – their last major trophy – and Brighton have never claimed the prize, only ever finishing runners-up in 1983.

Newcastle will already visit Wembley Stadium this month when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final but should make a push for the FA Cup, too. They have one eye on Champions League qualification as well.

Brighton reached the semis of the FA Cup in 2022/23 but fell agonisingly short on penalties, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side aiming to go a step further. The trip to St James’ Park will prove a mighty challenge, but the south coast side have tasted victory at the venue in the Premier League this term already.

Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of Alexander Isak after the striker missed the midweek defeat to Liverpool in the league. Eddie Howe has confirmed it’s not a long-term problem and insisted he will play if passed fit.

Callum Wilson will replace the Swede if he’s unavailable despite suffering a cut to his eye, while Sven Botman and Joelinton both have a chance of making the matchday squad accoridng to Howe.

Long-term absentee Jamaal Lascelles is still missing as he approaches a year on the sidelines.

Howe has insisted his side “know the importance” of the FA Cup, implying that he’s unlikely to rest many for Brighton’s visit.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley; Gordon, Wilson, Barnes.