Prediction: Southampton vs Newcastle

Prediction: Southampton win

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: William Hill

Following a week of European football we’ll be returning to what we all know and love this weekend – the Premier League. While the big boys will all be in action there are going to be quite a few eyes turning towards the bottom of the table, as Southampton prepare to host Newcastle United in a South vs North type of clash. Both of these teams have a lot of work to do in order to pull themselves out of the rut they’ve been in lately, but neither set of fans have all too many reasons to be feeling positive.

Southampton

Under the guidance of Mark Hughes it certainly feels like the Saints have taken a few steps backwards over the last few months, after spending the last few years attempting to solidify themselves as Premier League regulars. They’ve still got a certain spark and spring in their step but the inconsistency we see on a week to week basis is going to really impact their ability to battle for survival, and if the bad results keep on coming, we’d have to question how much longer Hughes will be given in the job.

Team News

Mario Lemina is an injury doubt, but is expected to make a recovery in time for the game.

Newcastle

Rafa Benitez once seemed to be doing everything in his power to turn the ship around at Newcastle United, but it seems as if his motivation for doing so is slowly being killed off by one man – and we aren’t even going to entertain the idea of naming him. The Magpies have always been viewed as a big club but they just can’t seem to piece things together on the pitch or off of it, and while there are a few match winners within their ranks, they’ll be dying to get to January in order to try and bring in some reinforcements.

Team News

Salomon Rondon has returned to training, with Joselu being expected to lead from the front for the visitors.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium.
• Southampton have drawn three and lost three of their last six games.
• Newcastle have drawn one and lost five of their last six games.
• Southampton and Newcastle are tied at 37-37 in the overall head to head standings with 22 draws.
• Newcastle won their last meeting with the Saints 3-0 back in March.

Conclusion

This isn’t going to be a particularly pretty game of football and that doesn’t sound like an outrageous thing to suggest. Southampton have great attacking options but it’s just a case of utilising them in the right way, whereas Newcastle appear to be on yet another downward spiral as they continue to go in circles. We think that the home side are going to edge this one out with a goal early in the second half, but as we said, we aren’t expecting an all-time classic from a game that we feel will end 1-0 to Southampton.

Prediction: Southampton win

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: William Hill