Newcastle vs Southampton: Premier League – Preview and Predictions

Southampton travel to the north-east and St James’ Park to take on Newcastle on Easter weekend, hoping to take one step closer to Premier League safety.

The recent Cardiff win at Brighton means the table has become tighter than most anticipated at the foot, but Saints fate remains firmly in their own hands.

Fixtures are favourable for Ralph Hassenhuttl going into the final stretch, but first up is a stern test against Rafa Benitez and his Toon Army.

The reverse fixture saw the sides play out a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s in a game Southampton dominated but struggled to find the net. 22 shots at goal resulted in just four troubling Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal.

Why Southampton will win

Despite that game earlier in the season, Ralph Hassenhuttl has since taken over from Mark Hughes and turned around the fortunes of the club. The goals are flowing at a much more comfortable rate and the style of football has brought back the passionate support from the fans.

James Ward-Prowse has found some goalscoring form since the turn of the year and Nathan Redmond looked to be in a confident mood in the 3-1 win over Wolves.

Saints have lost just once in the last nine league games against Newcastle, that 3-0 humbling last season, but have won four of the remaining games.

Newcastle have conceded in 70.59% of their home games this season, despite having one of the best performing defences outside of the top six this season. But Saints will travel buoyed by their recent result against Wolves and the prospect of assuring Premier League safety before the final day would be within touching distance.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Why Newcastle will win

Newcastle were comfortable winners in this fixture last season, with that 3-0 victory and have been comfortable in midtable for large parts of the season, despite a disastrous start to the campaign.

But the Toon have won five of their last six home games in the league, scoring two goals or more in three of those victories, putting the passionate support in great spirits.

January signing Miguel Almiron is still adjusting to the league and will hope he can capitalise on the absence of Jannik Vestergaard from a defence that have averaged 1.5 goals conceded in their last four away games.

Rafa Benitez has his side well drilled in defence and will be looking to frustrate and contain the pace and movement of Redmond, whilst looking for Ayoze Perez to continue his scoring streak of three in the last five league games.

Predicted Line-ups

Southampton: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn

Defenders: Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: , Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg,

Attacking Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, James Ward-Prowse, Josh Sims

Striker: Nathan Redmond

Newcastle: 4-5-1

Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka

Defenders: Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett

Midfielders: Matt Ritchie, Miguel Almiron, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez

Striker: Salomon Rondon

Predicted score:

Newcastle 1-1 Southampton