Newcastle United meet Southampton at St James’ Park in a key clash at opposite ends of Premier League table.
Victory would see Newcastle remain third in the table, whilst Southampton would stay rock-bottom with a win but move closer towards survival.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 4-1 win at Everton in midweek.
Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring), Ryan Fraser (personal) and Emil Krafth (knee) remain absent.
Southampton could welcome James Ward-Prowse back into contention after he was substituted in their midweek defeat against Bournemouth, due to illness.
Armel Bella-Kotchap and Romain Perraud are both doubtful with knocks.
Mohamed Salisu (hip), Valentino Livramento (muscle) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle face Southampton at 2pm on Sunday 30 April at St James’ Park, albeit untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in four of their last five league meetings against Southampton (W3, D1, L1).
- Southampton are winless in their last six league visits to Newcastle (D2, L4).
- James Ward-Prowse has scored in each of his last two away appearances for Southampton away to Newcastle (D1, L1).
- Callum Wilson has scored in each of Newcastle’s last two home games (W2).
- Southampton have won just one of their last five away games (W1, D2, L2).
Prediction
Having scored ten goals in their last two games to put third place in their hands following comfortable wins over Everton and Tottenham, Newcastle come into this game full of belief and confidence given their free-flowing attacking form at present but they need to cut out their defensive errors.
Southampton meanwhile were disappointing in their loss to Bournemouth because I had hoped that their 3-3 draw at Arsenal had put the fire in their belly, yet they lacked creativity and desire to get a result on Thursday evening whilst Ward-Prowse’s absence in the second half didn’t help.
If Ward-Prowse isn’t fit then I do worry for Ruben Selles’ Saints because Ward-Prowse is a key creative player and without him on Tyneside, I do feel that they will be comfortably outclassed unless they can produce something akin to their performance at Arsenal.
Newcastle though are surely set for a comfortable win if they continue to play like they’ve done in the past week.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Southampton
Result: Newcastle 3-1 Southampton
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