Premier League LIVE: Build-up, team news, score and live text updates from three games including Brentford vs West Ham United

Howe 'under now illusions' Magpies need results

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 BST)

Few expected Newcastle to be just eight points above the relegation zone at this stage of the season, but that's where they find themselves after a run of nine defeats in their last 12 Premier League games.

Despite that dismal run, manager Eddie Howe says he still has the backing of the club's hierarchy.

"I've never needed clarity. I'm here, working and committed. That won't change," Howe said during his media conference on Friday.

"Obviously, the football club has to do what it needs to do. It has to see we're going in the right direction, there's a positive feeling and that we're fighting on all fronts to try to get results. I'm under no illusions the club needs results."

Welbeck for England?

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 BST)

Brighton's European push has been partly powered by a late-career renaissance for Danny Welbeck.

The 35-year-old striker has scored 13 league goals this season - only six players in Premier League history have scored more in a campaign while aged 34 or older.

One more for Welbeck would see him become Brighton's outright top scorer in a Premier League season. He is currently level with Glenn Murray, who scored 13 in 2018-19.

Could Welbeck secure a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup this summer? He is the top scoring English striker in the Premier League this term...

'Players are relishing the opportunity'

Brentford v West Ham (15:00 BST)

Brentford

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to Sky Sports: "I was pretty happy with the performance [at Manchester United]. I have been with much of the quality the players have produced in recent weeks.

"The players that are challenging the starting line-up are knocking on the door and training well, I just felt this team is the right one.

"I've just seen a real desire to compete for the rest of the season. When it comes to this time of year, you can sometimes sense a little bit of fatigue – I'm not sensing that in the slightest. I think [the players] are relishing the opportunity today."

'We just have to focus on ourselves'

Brentford v West Ham (15:00 BST)

West Ham United

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to Sky Sports about his team selection: "A lot of our players [who are on the bench] are working really well and I’m not being totally fair with them, but we have an idea for this game and they know we’re counting on them.

"Today’s going to be a tough match. We’re going to perform well and try to compete."

On playing before Spurs: "It’s always the same. We just have to focus on ourselves."

Black Cats have faltered since securing top flight status

Wolves v Sunderland (15:00 BST)

Sophie Brown

BBC Sport

Since reaching the mythical 40-point mark, Sunderland seem to have gone off the boil. A famous derby win over Newcastle apart, the Black Cats' recent form has been pretty lacklustre.

Four defeats in their past six games since then include a loss to Port Vale, who have just been relegated to League Two.

Those defeats also include conceding nine goals in their past two matches – their 5-0 drubbing by Nottingham Forest was their joint-heaviest home league defeat, and their worst since the 1950s.

Sunderland's defence was pretty solid in the first half of the season – up to the turn of the year, only top two Arsenal and Manchester City had conceded fewer Premier League goals than the Black Cats' 18.

But since then, only struggling Burnley and Tottenham have conceded more than Sunderland's 27.

Despite this poor form, Sunderland have still exceeded expectations this season, and with a European spot still in reach, there remains plenty to play for.

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Wolves v Sunderland (15:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter at Molineux

Sunderland are looking keep their European hopes alive at Molineux this afternoon.

Just four points separate Brighton in sixth to the 12th placed Black Cats, who could complete a league double over Wolves for the first time since 1949-50.

The Black Cats beat Wolves 2-0 in October, which left them seventh in the Premier League and just two points adrift of second.

They have not been able to maintain that pace but are still in the European mix, despite being consistently inconsistent since winning five of their opening nine top flight games.

They have won just five of their 16 league games in 2026 and will be looking to kick start a strong finish at Molineux this afternoon with European football still a possibility.

'We need a result today'

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 BST)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking before today's game: "This is a huge game for us, we have prepared that way. The training attitude from the players this week has been really strong. We have been pleased with how they responded to a better performance last week, although it was a defeat.

"We need a result, need to feel some positivity. Brighton are a strong team. We need to be good in all aspects today. It's a challenge for us, but we are delighted to be back at home."

A huge game for Newcastle as owners watch on

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)

Ciaran Kelly

BBC Sport reporter at St James' Park

Leeds United’s win against relegated Burnley did not just as good as secure safety for Daniel Farke's side on Friday night. It resulted in Newcastle United slipping to 15th place in the table.

This may have been a week where Newcastle’s owners, executives and leading figures met to plot a bright future at an annual summit at Matfen Hall in Northumberland, but the current picture is a little sobering.

Head coach Eddie Howe is under no illusions that he can’t afford for this torrid losing run to continue, even if he felt the support of those above him at the meeting.

It may seem that Brighton have a lot more to play for, as the in-form visitors bid to qualify for Europe, but there is a lot riding on this game for Newcastle, too.

"We owe our supporters," captain Bruno Guimaraes writes in his programme notes.

Brighton certainly won’t travel in fear, however.

The Seagulls dismantled Chelsea last time out, and triumphed on both occasions when they met Newcastle in the league and FA Cup at St James’ Park last season.

Brighton pushing for Europe

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 BST)

Brighton are certainly moving in a different direction to Newcastle.

The Seagulls have won six of their past eight Premier League games to push themselves up into sixth place in the table, which would be enough to secure a place in the Uefa Europa League next season.

Sixth could be good enough for a place in the Champions League, but only if Aston Villa - eight points clear of Brighton in fifth - finish fifth and win the Europa League.

Fail to win today though, and Bournemouth, Brentford, Chelsea and Fulham could all overtake Brighton.

Bowen brilliance keeping West Ham afloat

Brentford v West Ham (15:00 BST)

Matt Jones

BBC Sport journalist

West Ham should be confident given their recent form – they have taken 22 points from their last 13 games – but their record against Brentford leaves a lot to be desired.

They have conceded in all nine of the Premier League games between the two sides since the Bees returned to the top flight. Seven of those nine matches have been defeats for the Hammers too, which is their highest loss rate against any side they've faced five or more times in the competition.

With Brentford in a bit of a rut, this weekend could be a perfect moment for that to change. In Jarrod Bowen, West Ham arguably have one of the in-form forwards in the Premier League.

Bowen set up two more goals against Everton last weekend to take his assist tally to 10 for the season in the top flight. Coupled with his eight goals, only Harry Kane and Mason Greenwood have more goal contributions across European football's top five leagues among English players.

Team news - Joelinton starts for Newcastle; Brighton make one change

Newcastle v Brighton (15:00 GMT)

Ciaran Kelly

BBC Sport reporter at St James' Park

Joelinton returns as Newcastle United make one change for the visit of Brighton.

The midfielder missed the defeats against Arsenal and Bournemouth through suspension, but is recalled in place of Jacob Ramsey this afternoon.

Anthony Gordon is not fit enough to start, but makes the bench after recovering from a hip issue.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tonali, Murphy, Osula, Willock.

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Ramsey.

Danny Welbeck starts as Brighton also make a solitary change for the trip to St James' Park.

The striker, who has a fine goalscoring record against Newcastle, comes in for Georginio Rutter and captains the visitors today.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler has otherwise kept faith with the team who defeated Chelsea 3-0 last time out.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gross, Baleba, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, Julio, Dunk, Rutter, Kostoulas, Ayari, De Cuyper, O'Riley, Vetlman.

Three changes for Wolves, two for Sunderland

Wolves v Sunderland (15:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter at Molineux

Dan Bentley, Yerson Mosquera and Tolu Arokodare start for already relegated Wolves.

Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes drop to the bench while goalkeeper Jose Sa is injured so Josh Gracey is included in the matchday squad for the first time.

Wolves XI: Bentley, Lima, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Mane, Armstrong, Arokodare.

Subs: Gracey, Tchatchoua, Doherty, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, R Gomes, Edozie, Hwang.

Reinildo and Chemsdine Talbi start for Sunderland as Regis Le Bris makes two changes at Molineux.

It means Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg are among the substitutes while Jocelin Ta Bi returns to the squad after an ankle injury.

The Black Cats have conceded nine goals in their last two games after shipping four at Aston Villa and five at home to Nottingham Forest.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Hume, Talbi, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Geertruida, O’Nien, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Mayenda, Isidor, Ta Bi.

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