England Premier League
Saturday 6th February 2021
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: St. James' Park
Match Preview:
Newcastle were back to losing ways again as they lost against Crystal Palace 2-1 in midweek. It felt like a body blow to the club who had played so well away to Everton to win 2-0 and that result had stopped a six game losing streak. The Palace defeat may have knocked the stuffing out of the team as they were at home.
The Magpies did play some good football though and took the lead but the inconsistency of the team and barren runs means they come into this game in 16th place with 22 points. The club have an 8 point safety net but the form they are in suggests that they could get involved in a relegation battle.
However football can change quick and if Newcastle could win this game and Fulham in 18th were to lose then the Magpies would be clear by 11 points. What is clear is that the club are not on the same performance level as last season and would be lucky to get to 40 points in this one. Steve Bruce’s side have lost 54% of games at home which can be fatal and that includes losing their last 3, Leeds and Leicester have also come here in recent weeks and won.
Southampton oh dear, oh dear. What can you say, and the more cynical of us may just start smiling at the fact that Southampton lost 9-0 in their last game against Manchester United. Smiling because somehow that isn’t an isolated event and the club lost by the same score line last season at home to Leicester, at least this result was away from home.
Of course the Saints had a man sent off earlier on, which was justified and maybe some moments in the game could have gone their way and didn’t. But the players downed tools and it was sad to see manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s post match interview. What is clear as daylight though is this is a rare event and Southampton are a good side, much better than to concede 9 goals in one game and the club need to use this match to exorcise the last one.
What is interesting is that up until the defeat against Manchester United, Southampton had actually conceded less goals than them. The Saints are 15 points clear of the bottom three and will be safe of course but they will feel disappointed that a European place is escaping them after having a positive start to the campaign. Away from home the club have won just 30% of matches and have gone their last 4 trips without victory.
Team News:
Newcastle: Jamaal Lascelles is ruled out with his hamstring for at least a couple of weeks. Though he had a visa problem DeAndre Yedlin is searching for a new one after he joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a permanent deal on deadline day. Fernandez is out long term with a hamstring injury.
Southampton: Stuart Armstrong has been ruled out with a muscle injury. Ibrahima Diallo is out with the same problem. Alexandre Jankewitz is suspended for 3 games after his red card v Manchester United. Michael Obafemi is out with a muscle injury and has been operated on. Oriol Romeu is expected to be back after his knock. Mohammed Salisu has a muscle injury and isn’t expected back for another 10 days. Nathan Tella could be assessed ahead of the game but looks like he could miss out. Jannick Vestergaard is being pencilled in to return but has some fitness issues and will be assessed. William Smallbone is very likely to miss the rest of the season with his knee injury.
Newcastle vs Southampton Head to Head:
Last season Newcastle won this game 2-1.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Southampton won 2-0.
Southampton last won at Newcastle in 2015.
Newcastle vs Southampton Prediction:
This appears to be a very good opportunity for Newcastle to get back to winning ways. They have the luck to remain at home after their Palace defeat. Southampton do not traditionally travel well to this ground and the Saints come here with quite a few injuries and possibly some returns who may be rusty.
In light of that Newcastle have little excuses not to put in a performance. Steve Bruce will be looking at the team that beat Everton and wanting that commitment again. We can say that no matter their league points advantage over 18th place if the Magpies were to lose again psychologically they would be in a bad place. We don’t see that happening though, if the players can pull together there is a good chance of a win or draw. Finally, not that we are seriously recommending it but things do come in three’s, and Newcastle are odds of 251.00 to win this game 9-0!
Newcastle vs Southampton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+0.5 Newcastle) at 1.55
Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson at 2.25
Both teams to score at 1.75
© Copyright topfootballtipster.com 2019
