Steve Bruce has already admitted that this has a bit of a "cup final" feel to it, and the reality is there will be some disappointed faces around St James' Park on Saturday night if Newcastle fail to beat Brighton.
For what it's worth, Rafa Benitez also had no qualms about describing straight shoot-outs against team of a similar level as "cup finals".
There seems to be no contest when it comes to the popularity of the two men, but in terms of comparing the start of last season to this one, Bruce is in a better position and may even enhance it.
Newcastle already have three more points in the bag than at this time last year, in fact victory on Saturday evening would take United to a points tally they took until November last year to reach.
Newcastle can do themselves every favour with a win against the Seagulls and have to grasp the opportunity ahead of tough games against Leicester (away) and then Man United back at St James' Park before the next international break.
Lee Ryder's prediction
If you look behind the result at Anfield last weekend you'll find a reasonably good performance for big parts of the game on Merseyside.
The two goals conceded before half-time were down to defensive errors rather than being sliced open.
And for the first half an hour, Newcastle looked capable.
The test is now to piece everything together over 90 minutes against a Brighton side that have failed to win in 13 of their last 14 Premier League games (2018/19 & 2019/20)
Like Newcastle, Brighton have conceded eight goals in the Premier League so far, and there's not much in this one if we are being brutally honest.
Toon players were hurt by their collapse at Liverpool and Bruce may not need to give them much of a gee up.
I think United will emerge victorious on Saturday night.
Referee
Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
Back at St James' Park for a second time this season after the opening-day game against Arsenal.
Charity bet
United to win at 29/20.
