Southampton vs Newcastle United – Team News, Stats, Line-up And Prediction
Preview
Southampton will face Newcastle United this weekend, in gameweek 8 of the Premier League, at the St.Mary’s stadium on Sunday.
The Saints, under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino, have endured a mixed start to the league and sit 12th in the league table after 7 games, accumulating 8 points so far, with 2 wins, 3 defeats and 2 draws.
They come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at Stoke City, which was prior to the international break. Pellegrino will be hoping his team finish as the winners this time around at least, against Rafael Benitez’s tricky Newcastle side.
Team News
Striker Shane Long is a doubt for Sunday after suffering a hip injury that ruled him out of the Republic of Ireland’s spectacular win in Wales on Monday night. Left-back Matt Targett, who missed the trip to Stoke, could miss out again due to an ankle problem.
Here is how Southampton could line up against Newcastle United on Saturday:
Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Fraser Forster (GK)
The England international is Saints’ unquestionable No.1 choice in goal and will start the game on Sunday.
Cedric Soares (RB)
The Portuguese international has made the right-back position his own since arriving at St.Mary’s. He is one of very few consistent performers for Southampton.
Virgil van Dijk (CB)
The Dutch centre-half started his first game of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke. He has attained full fitness and will be looking to put in a strong performance on Sunday to win back the fans.
Wesley Hoedt (CB)
Van Dijk’s Dutch compatriot, Wesley Hoedt, has been fairly impressive so far and should start against Magpies.
Ryan Bertrand (LB)
Just like Soares at right-back, Ryan Bertrand is another constant figure in Southampton’s back-line. He should start in his left-back position.
Oriol Romeu (CM)
One of Premier League’s most underrated players, Oriol Romeu has developed into a very reliable defensive midfielder since leaving Chelsea. The Spaniard will protect the back four, thereby keeping an eye on Newcastle attackers.
Mario Lemina (CM)
The summer recruit from Juventus has settled in so well at Southampton. Lemina is a never-ending engine, capable of producing magical moments. A sure shot starter at the weekend.
Dusan Tadic (RW)
The Serbian offers Southampton with width and guile from the flanks. He has the tendency to drift in from right and possesses a sweet left-foot. Tadic should start scoring more to help Saints put behind their goal-scoring problems.
Steven Davis (CAM)
Pellegrino will have high expectations from Steven Davis, who scored the winner against a hapless Crystal Palace. The skipper is an industrious player, with good technique on the ball and an ability to dictate the tempo of the game.
Nathan Redmond (LW)
There is no doubt in Redmond’s talent but the winger is guilty of not playing to his potential yet. With just one assist this season, it’s high-time for the former Norwich man to step up his game.
Manolo Gabbiadini (ST)
With Shane Long a doubt and Charlie Austin restricted to substitute appearances, Gabbiadini will be the ideal man to lead the attack against the Toon army. It comes as a big surprise that the former Napoli forward has not played a full game this season.
Opta Stats:
- Southampton have won more Premier League games in total (15) and at home (12) against Newcastle than they have against any other side in the competition.
- Newcastle have failed to keep an away clean sheet against Southampton in the top-flight in each of their last 26 games, since a 0-0 draw in February 1969.
- The Magpies have won just five points from their last 42 available on the road in the Premier League (W1 D2 L11), with that win coming at Swansea last month.
- Saints have failed to score in eight of their last nine home Premier League matches, with the exception being a 3-2 win against West Ham in August.
- Newcastle have averaged the youngest starting line-up in the Premier League this season (25 years, 211 days). Indeed, five of the 10 youngest starting XI’s this term have been named by Rafael Benitez.
- Since the start of last season, Charlie Austin is Southampton’s top scorer at home in the Premier League despite playing just 12 times (five goals).
Source: Sky Sports
Prediction
Considering the forms of both the teams, it is difficult to pick one clear winner here. Both of them are quite close in the table (with respect to points) and the goal difference isn’t too big either. However, I’d back Newcastle to come out on top purely because of the Rafael Benitez factor.
Final Score: Southampton 1-2 Newcastle United