What is Paul Merson on about? - Merson goes off on bizarre Eddie Howe tangent when predicting who will win on Sunday - Brighton or Newcastle United

Newcastle United travel 'daahn saarf' to take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, looking for their first Premier League win at the AMEX Stadium.

We don't know what it is, but Brighton have had our number on their home turf since the clubs came up to the Premier League together, but this has been a season for banishing demons for the Magpies, and picking up that elusive first win at the Amex in the top flight could just be the next one to fall.

Brighton have, of course, beaten Newcastle twice already this season in the Premier League and FA Cup, so we know this isn't a game to be striding into with bullish confidence like we did last week.

Although nobody seems to have told Paul Merson about the history of this fixture.

Game on Sunday? Who cares, how about that Arne Slot guy, eh?

In what may be Paul Merson's most half-arsed and baffling score prediction piece of the season for Sportskeeda, the former Aston Villa striker barely mentions the fixture and instead starts talking about Arne Slot's claim to Manager of the Season.

"Brighton had a good result last weekend when they secured a late win, but that was against West Ham. I think Newcastle win this one. It's not the Brighton we've seen over the years and I don't expect them to trouble Newcastle.

"I don't believe Eddie Howe deservers to win manager of the year award. I would pick Arne Slot. Winning the league with four games to go in his debut season is an incredible achievement. Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo have done quite well, but I'd have to go with Slot.

"Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Newcastle United"

That's Merson's piece on the Newcastle game in its entirety, I've even left his typo alone as it just adds to the baffling nature of the whole thing.

We wish we shared Paul Merson's confidence in Sunday's result

So the bottom line, I guess, is that Merson backs us to banish the AMEX demon comprehensively with a 3-1 win, which is nice. I do so wish I shared his confidence.

As for Eddie Howe as Manager of the Season ... nah, Merson is right, what Arne Slot has done is amazing. Yes, Eddie Howe brought domestic silverware to Newcastle after a 70-year wait, but not many managers can win the league at the first time of asking with an inherited squad.

I'm sorry to not be all black and white biased on this issue, but sometimes reality is painful.