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.
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.
The England international is Saints’ unquestionable No.1 choice in goal and will start the game on Sunday.
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.
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.
Van Dijk’s Dutch compatriot, Wesley Hoedt, has been fairly impressive so far and should start against Magpies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: Sky Sports
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
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…