Newcastle United vs Southampton FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Newcastle United vs Southampton FC Match Prediction & Analysis

If Newcastle’s thumping 6-1 victory over Tottenham showcased their thrilling attacking powers last weekend, it was their midweek win away to Everton that demonstrated their efficiency and resilience.

It’s been a week that has seen the club take control of 3rd spot, with Manchester United dropping points to Tottenham, although the Magpies have played a game more.

Eddie Howe’s team are flying towards a fantastic finish to the season and they’ll be licking their lips at facing the worst team in the league here.

Southampton are six points adrift of safety, with just 15 left up for grabs. The odds are heavily stacked against the Saints and they’ll need to turn things around in dramatic fashion if they are to survive.

Only two teams have conceded more goals than Ruben Selles’ side this season, and they’ll fear a trip to St James’ Park with their opponents in top form.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Newcastle United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won 12 of their last 17 against the Saints at home

     Only lost one of their 15 games at St. James’ Park this season

Reasons to be fearful:

     Can’t afford to be complacent against a battling Southampton 

     Saint-Maximin continues to miss out through injury

All the signs are pointing to Newcastle finishing the season strongly, especially after the previous week of results.

They have 10 goals from their last two games, brushing past Tottenham and Everton in what could have potentially been tricky games for Eddie Howe’s side.

As it stands, they have seven of their past eight home games, while the St James’ Park faithful have only seen their side lose once this season.

The Magpies have also won eight of their last 10 meetings with the Saints, losing just one of their last 17 clashes at home.

The only thing that Eddie Howe will be worried about is how to fit both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak into the same team, with both strikers in such sensational form.

Star Man – Alexander Isak 

It’s been a brilliant week for Isak, netting twice against Tottenham and coming off the bench against Everton to thrilling effect. He’s just a step ahead of teammate Wilson in terms of being first-choice right now.

Southampton FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Drawn four of their last seven against top four sides

     Have nothing to lose by going for victory here

Reasons to be fearful

     Just one win from their last 17 trips to St. James’ Park 

     Winless in their last eight games under Ruben Selles

The season has gone from bad to worse for Southampton, going from one manager to the next in slapdash fashion and suffering from a poor transfer policy in the summer.

Ruben Selles’ time at the club started positively enough, claiming two wins including an away victory over Chelsea. The team have since gone eight games without a win and are now rooted to the bottom more than ever.

It’ll take a small miracle for the Saints to pull themselves out of trouble – we’ve seen exceptional turnarounds in football before, but it’s unlikely to say the least.

They have a poor record away at Newcastle, but perhaps their perilous position will motivate the players to let loose and go for broke. They have nothing more to lose.

Star Man – James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse had to come off in midweek due to feeling unwell. He’s easily been Southampton’s best player this season, so they’ll need to hope he’s ready to play here.