Kick-off: 1945, 10/01/2021
Stadium: Rodney Parade
TV: BT Sport
Newport have a proud history of FA Cup upsets in recent years and are backed to give Brighton a tough work-out at Rodney Parade.
In the last few seasons, County have beaten Leeds and Leicester in Wales in this competition, as well as earning a replay against Tottenham.
The Exiles will be assisted by difficult conditions underfoot again here and 8/5 they avoid defeat in normal time is our first Newport vs Brighton prediction.
A Look At Newport County’s Betting Odds
Newport’s recent League Two form is not much to write home about, picking up just two points from their last four fixtures.
However, County are still well placed in second, just a point behind leaders Carlisle with a game in hand.
A 1-1 draw away to sixth-placed Crawley on Boxing Day was a decent effort and the postponement of last weekend’s visit of Southend due to a frozen pitch will keep the Exiles fresh.
“It gives us time to prepare properly for the game against Brighton,” Michael Flynn told the club website.
Fellow promotion hopefuls Salford were thrashed 3-0 here in the previous round, while Newport did well in the EFL Cup earlier this term.
They beat Championship high-flyers Swansea 2-0 at this venue and Watford 3-1, before almost stunning Newcastle here.
A fifth-minute strike from Tristan Abrahams put County in front and they held on until Jonjo Shelvey’s late leveller saved the Magpies, who then progressed on penalties.
Having five loan players recalled by their parent clubs this week was a blow, with regular starters Brandon Cooper and Scott Twine amongst them.
However, playing on a pitch also being used for rugby union earlier this weekend is always a great leveller and 3/1 for County to progress appeals from the Brighton vs Newport odds.
With no FA Cup replays this term, the tie will go straight to extra-time and penalties if needed.
A Look At Brighton and Hove Albion’s Betting Odds
Brighton boss Graham Potter is sure to shuffle his pack, with Albion emerging from a busy festive period only one place above the Premier League relegation zone.
There have been some good efforts during an eight-match winless run, with entertaining draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Wolves featuring among five stalemates.
Under-pressure Potter was relieved to see the Seagulls fight back from 3-1 down at half-time to secure a share of the spoils versus Wanderers.
“We all needed that,” he said. “I know there is always a narrative around the head coach and it is what it is when you’re not winning, you accept the criticism.
“There’s nothing I can do about that. I can control what I can control, which is how I act, how I work with the players – and I will continue to do that.
“When you look at the context of the game and you look at how it all panned out, I think it’s a really good point for us.
“At half-time, we were suffering, so to come back and get something is all credit to the players; their application, attitude, togetherness, spirit was wonderful.”
Brighton do have decent strength in depth, as highlighted by EFL Cup wins over Portsmouth and Preston when making plenty of changes.
Whether the same overseas recruits will fancy a muddy pitch in Wales on a cold January night remains to be seen, though.
Let’s finish off our Brighton vs Newport betting tips by taking 17/2 for a home win and both teams to score.
Additional stats
Last result:
BRIGHTON 3-3 Wolves – Aaron Connolly, Neal Maupay (pen), Lewis Dunk
Crawley 1-1 NEWPORT – Ryan Haynes
Head-to-head: Brighton 1-3 Newport
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