Preview:Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United meet in New Jersey on Friday night for another instalment of the Premier League Summer Series.

Arguably the two biggest overachievers of the Premier League last season will meet in their third game of the Series taking place in the United States.

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Match preview

Brighton continue their preparation for a season which will see them play European football for the first time in their history.

A sixth-place finish was achieved thanks to the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi in the early stages of the season after Graham Potter left for Chelsea.

De Zerbi led his side to numerous eye-catching wins over some of the league's strongest sides, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

They kept up their fine form despite defeat to Chelsea in their Summer Series opener, as the Seagulls were unfortunate to lose 4-3.

Brighton caused many problems to the Chelsea backline throughout the 90, despite playing a third of the game with 10 men after Jan Paul van Hecke's red card.

Two of their three goals came while playing a man light, as they continued to create more chances than Chelsea.

On their return to the UK next week, Brighton will face Rayo Vallecano the weekend before their league opener against recently-promoted Luton Town.

Like Brighton, Newcastle were also involved in a thrilling first game Stateside, drawing 3-3 with Aston Villa.

Eddie Howe's side fought well to come back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw, but it continues their leaky form in defence this pre-season.

After having the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, Newcastle have conceded two to Gateshead and now three to Villa already.

The upcoming season will really test Newcastle to see whether they can cope with the demands of a Champions League campaign on top of their domestic duties.

The club are back in the Champions League after two decades away and will face sides with European pedigree in the Sela Cup once they return home, in the form of Fiorentina and Villarreal.

Newcastle start their league season by facing Aston Villa again in the Saturday evening slot, and they will hope to forget about the poor form which they suffered at the end of last season, winning just one of their final five games.

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Team News

De Zerbi has given debuts to Joao Pedro, Mahmoud Dahoud and Bart Verbruggen already during pre-season, and all three should play a part here.

Pedro found the net to score his first Brighton goal against Chelsea and he could be joined by Simon Adingra in attack.

Adingra has followed the Kaoru Mitoma path after spending last season on loan at Union Saint-Gilloise, and the Ivorian excelled, contributing to 27 goals in Belgium and on the continent.

There are still a number of notable exclusions from the Brighton squad though, with Lewis Dunk, Pervis Estupinan, Moises Caicedo and Facundo Buonanotte yet to feature, along with new signing James Milner.

Harvey Barnes arrived and made his Newcastle debut on the same day when coming on against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Barnes could be the replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin, who continues to be under the transfer spotlight as the Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Sandro Tonali has been the marquee signing of Newcastle's summer, and he has enjoyed a few run-outs before expecting to make his English football debut against Villa on the opening day.

Nick Pope and Joe Willock have been carrying injuries since the tail-end of last season and have not yet featured in pre-season.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Gross; Dahoud, Gilmour, March, Joao Pedro, Adingra; Welbeck

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Anderson, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes; Almiron, Isak, Barnes

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We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Newcastle United

Some of the friendlies in the US have already seen plenty of goals scored, and these two sides have contributed to more than a few, and may do so again in what should be a close encounter.