Newcastle United vs Southampton
Date: 06/02/2021
Time: 15:00
Venue: St. James’ Park
Match Official: Craig Pawson
TV: BT Sport
Newcastle welcome Ralph Hasenhuttl’s weary-looking Southampton side, hoping to compound their misery and simultaneously turn around their own fortunes after they gave up their second-minute lead and eventually succumbed to Crystal Palace in a five-minute spell. The form guide makes for extremely grim reading for both sides; each have managed just a single league win in their last five matches. Newcastle’s was an away win at Goodison Park two match weeks ago, whereas Southampton’s last victory – over defending champions Liverpool – brought their manager to his knees, as the magnitude of his accomplishment overwhelmed him.
Regrettably, the same action would have been repeated after their most recent outing, but in diametrically opposite circumstances. However, if there’s one thing to be said about Hasenhuttl, it’s that he follows Harvey Specter’s quotes to a tee: If someone points a gun to your head, you do 146 things other than give in; he’s proven it before and emerged with a rejuvenated, aggressively passionate side that the league feared to take on. A victory against Newcastle, no matter by what scoreline, will offer a significant mental boost to the Saints, and being the practical man that he is, that’s exactly what he’ll be hoping for, no more.
Perhaps surprisingly, it’s the gaffer in the opposite dugout who appears to be the one under fire. Steve Bruce has reiterated that the appointment of Bournemouth’s Graeme Jones was “his first choice” assistant and that he is not a man being groomed to take over Bruce’s present position as head coach. Newcastle have indeed struggled for form this season, and are eight points clear of the drop zone going into this week. Unfortunately, just a single victory in their previous 12 league matches has caused understandable concern among the Newcastle faithful, which is perhaps the reason for the strength of these murmurs.
Either way both teams, and perhaps, more importantly, both managers, desperately need a win on Saturday. It may just come down to the team that wants it more, and could spell disaster for the losing side’s backroom staff; the stakes are very high, and this should therefore be a match that delivers.
Team News
Newcastle United
Central defence looks to be a major problem for the Magpies, as Jamaal Lascelles (Hamstring) and Federico Fernandez (Thigh injury) have both been ruled out of contention. Ciaran Clark is a major doubt for the game as well, as the father-to-be’s wife went into labour very recently.
Paul Dummett looks set to miss out on this week’s action with a hamstring concern, while DeAndre Yedlin sealed a transfer to Galatasaray leaving Javi Manquillo established first choice on the right side of defence.
In positive news, Allan Saint-Maximin looks set to start on Saturday, having had four brief substitute appearances after spending two entire months battling COVID-19. Steve Bruce will be hoping he is able to recover some of the form he displayed earlier in the season. Loan signing Joe Willock also looks set to feature, likely from the bench if at all.
Southampton
Southampton look on course to end their own injury crisis, with Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu looking likely to be available for selection. Jan Bednarek won his appeal and saw his red card against Manchester United overturned, but Alexandre Jankewitz wasn’t as lucky and will be forced to sit this game out.
Takumi Minamino signed for Southampton in a loan move towards the closing of the January transfer window, and Hassenhutl has been quick to shower him with praise. He could be in line for a debut; Shane Long and Yan Valery departed the club on loan in the same timing. Theo Walcott and Michael Obafemi remain absent through injury.
Predicted Starting XIs
Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Darlow; Manquillo, Hayden, Schar, Lewis; Fraser, Willock, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin; Almiron; Wilson
Southampton (4-2-2-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Minamino, Redmond; Adams, Ings
Predicted Scoreline: Newcastle 1-2 Southampton
I believe that the frailties in the Newcastle defence are too deep to assuage, and I expect Southampton to take full advantage of this fact. However, The Saints are reeling from shipping nine themselves and Newcastle would do well to exploit the nervousness and the second-guessing that is bound to happen in the Southampton camp to reply with their own.
