Newcastle United vs Southampton
Date: 10/03/18
K/O: 15:00pm
Venue: St James Park
Referee: Andre Marriner
Few Southampton fans would have predicted that with only nine games left of the season their side would be engulfed in a relegation battle, hanging precariously above the drop zone by only a single point.
Just one point and place above them resides Newcastle, whom might have been rather more prepared for the dogfight of relegation. Both sides remain fairly stagnant in terms of form, six points from their last five may not appear so bad, but a multitude of draws have stunted each teams progress this campaign.
Embed from Getty ImagesTypical, the reverse fixture was a 2-2 draw at St Mary’s and Southampton’s 13 league draws this campaign is the joint most in Europe’s top five leagues this season. The side from the south coast have often produced pragmatic away performances under Pellegrino tenure, exemplified by last week’s goalless draw with Stoke. Sharing the points may prove costly to both teams’ survival hopes, but if either side are brave enough three would boost morale going into a lengthy break from Premier League football.
This encounter is made all the more crucial considering that Crystal Palace and Stoke face Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, presenting this is an opportunity to create a cushion between a potential victor and the drop, unless heroics occur elsewhere.
Neither side has any fresh injuries for this fixture, yet Shelvey, Slimani and Jesus Gamez remain unfit to play for Newcastle. Likewise for the Saints Davis, Yoshida and Austin are all out but are expected to return later this month.
Embed from Getty ImagesPredicted Line-up:
Newcastle: Dubravka; Dummett, Lejeune, Lascelles, Yedlin; Diame, Merino; Kenedy, Perez, Ritchie; Gayle.
Southampton: McCarthy; Bertrand, Hoedt, Stephens, Soares; Romeu, Lemina; Redmond, Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Gabbiadini.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1 Southampton 1
Written by Harvey Sayer.
