Newcastle United fans have been making a lot of noise in the Transfer Tavern in recent weeks following their side’s upturn in form.

The Magpies lost their opening two Premier League games upon return to the top-flight to suggest that they had a testing season ahead of them, but they have responded with crucial victories over West Ham, Swansea City, and more recently Stoke City.

Goals from Christian Atsu and Jamaal Lascelles secured the three points for Rafa Benitez’s men last weekend to propel them up to fourth in the division, and they will thus take great confidence into their trip to Brighton on Sunday.

The Seagulls have struggled since their promotion to the Premier League by winning just one of their opening five matches, and went down 2-1 at South Coast rivals Bournemouth on Friday to leave them 16th in the division, and already looking over their shoulder.

Nonetheless, Chris Hughton’s men won their last match at the AMEX Stadium 3-1 against West Brom, and themselves with go into Sunday’s encounter confident that they can secure a second league win of the campaign.

However, Newcastle will go in as favourites following their fine run of form, and if Benitez selects this starting XI, Brighton won’t know what hit them…

Rob Elliot

Rob Elliot has began the season as Newcastle’s number one in impressive fashion, and is thus likely to remain between the sticks at Brighton on Sunday.

The Republic of Ireland international has conceded just four goals in their five Premier League games this term, and made several important saves to help the club to three successive victories, two of which involving clean sheets against both West Ham and Swansea.

And the 31-year-old will once again get the nod against Hughton’s Brighton on Sunday.

DeAndre Yedlin

Right-back DeAndre Yedlin moved to Newcastle last year following a one-year stint at Tottenham, and went on to make 27 Championship appearances to help Benitez’s men return to the top-flight.

And although a hamstring injury kept him out of the first few games of this season, the United States international played the full 90 minutes in the win over Stoke City last week, and performed solidly in a Magpies victory to suggest that he’ll keep his place against Brighton.

The 24-year-old certainly has much potential, and could be set for a sustained run in the side if he can back up last weekend’s performance over the coming weeks.

Jamaal Lascelles

Captain Jamaal Lascelles has been outstanding for the Magpies so far this season, both in his own box and indeed the opposition’s.

The former Nottingham Forest defender only missed three of their 46 Championship matches last term as Benitez’s men won the title, and he has kicked this campaign off in fine fashion as well with two goals in five Premier League games.

And both have been match-winners in the success at Swansea and the victory over Stoke last weekend, and the 23-year-old will again lead the side at Brighton on Sunday.

Ciaran Clark

Like Lascelles, centre-back Ciaran Clark played a big part in helping Newcastle win promotion from the Championship last season, and looks set to play a pivotal role this time round as well.

The Republic of Ireland international has started all five of their Premier League games and helped the team to two clean sheets in that time, as well as three successive victories.

The 27-year-old appears to be striking up quite the partnership with Lascelles at the heart of the Magpies backline, leaving summer signing Florian Lejeune with a battle to get back into the side – a battle he is unlikely to win this weekend at Brighton.

Chancel Mbemba

Chancel Mbemba has been filling in at left-back in recent weeks following the early season injury to Paul Dummett, and has performed well in the role to suggest that he’ll start there on Sunday.

The 23-year-old moved to St James’ Park back in 2015 and has gone on to make 53 appearances for the North East giants, although he was often out of favour last term in their run to the Championship title, playing just 12 league games.

Nonetheless, the DR Congo international has proven his worth to Benitez this term, and deserves to keep his place against the Seagulls this weekend.

Isaac Hayden

Isaac Hayden was another who made the move to St James’ Park last year in a bid to restore the club back to the Premier League, and he certainly did his bit with 33 Championship appearances for the Magpies.

The former Arsenal midfielder was a regular throughout the campaign before undergoing ankle surgery back in February, yet he has since picked up where he left off, appearing in their last five games of last season, and their first five of this campaign.

In fact, Hayden has started all five of their Premier League matches, and looks set for a vital role in Benitez’s midfield over the course of the campaign.

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino was one of six summer signings at Newcastle United, and with four successive Premier League starts, he’s likely to be one of the most important as well.

The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Magpies on loan from Borussia Dortmund back in July and has certainly made an impact alongside Hayden in midfield, with Benitez’s men winning three of the four games he has played in.

The Spain Under-21 international is adept going forward and indeed defensively, and looks set to be a huge asset to the North East giants as the season progresses.

Matt Ritchie

Matt Ritchie dropped down to the Championship with Newcastle last year in a bid to win promotion back to the Premier League, and based on his efforts so far this term as well, he’s made a good decision.

The 28-year-old weighed in with 12 goals and eight assists last season to help Benitez’s men win the title, and he’s started this season in fine fashion as well with four assists in five Premier League appearances, of all which have come in their last three matches.

The Scotland international has got real quality from both open play and set pieces, so keeping him fit and firing looks set to be crucial in Newcastle’s chances of climbing the table this term.

Christian Atsu

25-year-old Christian Atsu made his loan move to Newcastle permanent over the summer, having impressed in their Championship campaign last term.

The winger bagged five goals and laid on three assists in 32 appearances last term in the Magpies’ ascent to the top of the second tier, and with chances likely to be limited at parent club Chelsea, he made the move to the North East permanently.

And he has celebrated his move with a goal and an assist in his first five Premier League games of the season, as well as being a constant menace when he’s on the ball and in the attacking third.

Like Perez, his form will be vital for Newcastle this term, and he’ll look to build on last week’s goal with another against Brighton on Sunday.

Ayoze Perez

Ayoze Perez has been at Newcastle over three years now, and has started all five of their Premier League games this term to underline his importance to Benitez.

The 24-year-old only started 25 times in the Championship last term but still managed nine goals and seven assists for the Magpies, and with one assist already this term, the Spaniard again looks set for a key role in the Newcastle team.

His defensive work ethic is also to be admired, and that could go a long way to helping the Magpies in several games this season.

Joselu

Striker Joselu didn’t have the best of times at Stoke City, but has certainly hit the ground running since his summer move to Newcastle.

The 27-year-old scored on his first start for the club in their 3-0 victory over West Ham on August 26, and has since then led the line brilliantly in helping the side to three consecutive league wins.

He should have netted against his former employers last week, but will look to atone for those errors when they travel to Brighton on Sunday.