Newcastle continue their battle for Premier League survival against a Southampton side looking to push for a place in European football.
With only seven games left in the season the Toon are looking to grab as many points as possible in upcoming fixtures, to ensure that they will continue to ply their trade in the top flight during 2016-17.
Southampton need victories to push on from their current position of seventh into one that would qualify them for European competition next season. Although looking increasingly unlikely, the Saints could still mathematically finish in a Champions League spot or, more realistically, manage a return to the Europa League.
Key Battle – Victor Wanyama vs Georginio Wijnaldum
Victor Wanyama has faced some highs and lows this season but has recently worked himself back in as a fixture of Ronald Koeman’s side. Offering the largest defensive output from the midfield, the Kenyan is often largely responsible for restricting the influence of opposition No.10s and cutting off service to the strikers.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
After starting the season so brightly the influence of the Dutch playmaker has dwindled but his class is still evident. Perhaps not carrying the same threat he was earlier in the campaign, the Newcastle midfielder could still be the spark that is the difference between the club surviving and being relegated to the Championship.
Team News
The loss of Steven Davis will be a big blow for the home side with the Northern Irish midfielder a mainstay in Koeman’s squad this season. James Ward-Prowse seems the best fit to replace him in an attacking-midfield role, though Sadio Mané may be the preferred fit. Shane Long, Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez are all fit and in contention.
Rafa Benítez has not seen the fortunes of the injury ravaged Magpies squad lessen in his tenure and will again be without several key players going into this fixture. In positive news though, Fabricio Coloccini, Gabriel Obertan, Yoan Gouffran and Sylvain Marveaux are all apparently nearing first-team returns.
Head-to-Head
The balance of history is almost even in this fixture with the Geordie team having won 22 games compared to the Saints’ 21. A further 15 meeting have seen points shared.
Previous Meeting
The last matchup between these teams came in August last year where things finished in stalemate. The opening round fixture saw goals from Papiss Cissé and Wijnaldum cancelled out by goals from Graziano Pellè and Long.
Prediction
Based on league position alone this should be an easy win for the Saints, on top of this it has been a barren run of away games for the Magpies having lost eight in a row. Southampton are undefeated in their last five showings against Newcastle and have won more games and scored more goals against the Northern club than they have against any other opponents in the Premier League.
In the back end of the season we often see teams in the midst of a relegation battle pull amazing performances out against much fancied opponents but it looks unlikely in this match. Newcastle have their survival to fight for, but the Saints have European football in their sights. In addition the team from St. James is missing several important players and have lacked fight in recent outings, the loss against Norwich City last week may have been the final straw.
Southampton 2 Newcastle United 0
*CrownBet match odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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