2019-20 Premier League: Week 29 – Southampton vs Newcastle

Southampton lock horns with Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium as both teams look to consolidate a mid-table finish. 

A win could lift Southampton up above Crystal Palace into 11th if the Eagles lose to Watford, whilst Newcastle look to leapfrog the Saints into 13th.

 

Team news

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Will Smallbone is ruled out for Southampton through illness as Moussa Djenepo nears a return after personal reasons kept him out of recent games.

Stuart Armstrong (concussion) is also out of this clash whilst Nathan Redmond (muscle) won’t return until early April.

Newcastle could have Emil Krafth available after missing their last seven games with ankle ligament damage.

Andy Carroll (unspecified), Ciaran Clark (ankle), Jack Colback (knee), Paul Dummett (tendon) and Jetro Willems (knee) are all ruled out.

 

Form

Southampton enter this match with just two wins from their last six league outings (W2, L4), although the Saints have scored in their last seven at home in all competitions. 

Newcastle come into this game with just one win in their last seven league outings (W1, D4, L2), with 13 goals conceded in their last six away league trips despite scoring just four goals during this run. 

 

Stat Attack

• Southampton are winless in their last five meetings against Newcastle (D2, L3).
• Newcastle have failed to win in their last six trips to Southampton (D2, L4).
• Southampton’s James Ward Prowse has received two yellow cards in their last two clashes against Newcastle, albeit at the Magpies’ St James’ Park.
• Both teams have won and scored one penalty apiece in 37 previous Premier League meetings. 
• Newcastle are yet to have a player sent off in this Premier League fixture against the Saints. 

 

Prediction

Neither team are hardly in strong form currently so I am expecting this to be a scrappy encounter between two teams destined for mid-table. 

Southampton were defensively sloppy at West Ham last weekend despite showing promise on the attack, which is a huge concern given Newcastle’s defensive counter style and ability to spring unexpected attacks when not controlling the game. 

I therefore wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints grab a late winner because this is a game that will be likely settled in the closing stages, and Southampton look the more threatening as Newcastle seems to save their best for the FA Cup. 

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Newcastle United

Result: Southampton 0-1 Newcastle United