Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has warned Newcastle and the rest of the Champions League hopefuls of Brighton's resurgence under Roberto De Zerbi. The Gulls can move level on points with the Magpies if they win their game in and and could possibly move into the top-four if they win their games in hand on Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
What was once a comfortable cushion over the chasing pack, has been drastically reduced with the Magpies winning just once in the top flight in their last eight outings. The Toon have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, but Eddie Howe's side now have slightly more favourable run of fixture, starting with Wolves this weekend.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Winterburn said: "The fight for fourth place is going to be massive. Liverpool have surprised everyone this season with their lack of consistency.
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“People say they've had a drop in form, and they've had a lot of injuries but there's still real quality within that squad - we saw that against Manchester United. There's no doubt in my mind that Liverpool will be challenging for fourth place, and they still have a huge opportunity to get there.
“Let's not forget about Brighton who have done unbelievably well. They've got a couple of games in hand and they're still hovering around so the fourth place will be a big fight until the end of the season.
“Newcastle have just had a little dip, but they've been strong this season so for me, there are probably four or five teams that believe they can get that fourth position. Brighton are in the mix for fourth because even though they lack experience, that in turn means that they have no fear.
"We don't know how they're going to react when the pressure’s on, but it might actually inspire them. Brighton are the outsiders but sometimes the outsiders surprise us all and they're playing exceptionally well.
"I would still put them in with it with a chance of getting into that top four.”
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