Premier League: Newcastle vs Southampton match preview

A look ahead to Saturday's match at St James' Park

(Getty Images)

Ronald Koeman’s Southampton will look to strengthen their bid for a Champions League spot when they travel to struggling Newcastle on Saturday evening.

Although the Saints marched on in the FA Cup with a midweek win over Championship high-flyers Ipswich, they did lose midfielder Victor Wanyama to injury. The Kenyan joins Morgan Schneiderlin, Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane on an ever-growing injury list but they are boosted by the return of midfielder Jack Cork. Having won five of their last seven in all competitions, the Saints are high on confidence having beaten Man United at Old Trafford in their latest Premier League outing.

Koeman’s overachievers have already thrashed Newcastle once this season, winning 4-0 at St Mary’s in the reverse fixture. Newcastle caretaker manager John Carver will not want to see a repeat of that performance, especially considering the unsavoury scenes he was involved in after the match.

Carver is still the man in charge while the Magpies search for a permanent replacement for Alan Pardew and their recent home form has been their saving grace. Victories over Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton on home soil are proof that this team can produce big performances at St James’ and a win could push them further clear of the bottom half.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 4 (Pelle 2, Cork, Schneiderlin) Newcastle 0, Premier League, September 2014

Southampton 4 (Rodriguez 2, Lambert, Lallana) Newcastle 0, Premier League, March 2014

Newcastle 1 (Yoan Gouffran) Southampton 1 (Rodriguez), Premier League, December 2013

STATS…

Southampton have not won at St James’ in 11 attempts – a run that stretches back to March 1997

The Saints have dropped just two points from winning positions this season

Newcastle have lost just once in nine home games

The Geordies have scored the highest proportion of second half goals (76%) in the topflight.

ODDS…

Newcastle to win: 3.4

Southampton to win: 2.45

Draw: 3.4

Papiss Cisse’s long-range volley was hailed “an Alan Shearer-type moment” by gaffer Alan Pardew as the Magpies recorded a thrilling 4-2 victory over Southampton in February 2013. The Senegalese striker’s looping effort won Goal of the Month and moved his side six points clear of the drop zone.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5.30pm.