Premier League: Newcastle v Southampton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixture at St. James’ Park

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will face his former employers Southampton (Getty Images)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has called his sacking by Southampton in 2010 “an injustice”, and he will be hoping to prove the point to his former employers when they make the long trip up to St. James’ Park this weekend.

Newcastle and Southampton currently sit side by side in the Premier League (in seventh and eighth place respectively) but is the Magpies who head into this one as the team in form. Alan Pardew’s men have won five of their last six games - a run which has seen them supplant the Saints as this season’s outside bet for a European place.

Southampton have picked up just one point from a possible 12 in recent outings, however their impressive performance in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City last week has come as a timely reminder to Pardew of just how high the Saints have climbed in the three years since he was given the boot.

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Newcastle 4 (Sissoko, Cisse, Cabaye, Hooiveld og) Southampton 2 (Schneiderlin, Lambert), Premier League, February 2013

Southampton 2 (Lallana, Ramirez) Newcastle 0, Premier League, November 2012

Newcastle 1 (Dyer) Southampton 0, FA Cup, February 2006

STATS…

Southampton have not won at St. James’ Park in 9 attempts.

19 of Newcastle’s 20 league goals have been scored by Frenchmen.

Remy is joint-third top scorer in the Premier League – tied with Ramsey, Rooney, Sturridge and Lukaku on 8.

Lambert has four goals and four assists in the Premier League so far this season.

ODDS…

Newcastle win: 2.3

Southampton win: 2.87

Draw: 3.5

TV: Highlights on BBC 1 at 10.25pm