Premier League: Southampton v Newcastle match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at St Mary's Stadium

Demba Ba of Newcastle United (Getty Images)

Newcastle face the prospect of three successive league defeats in a season for the first time in four years when they visit Southampton. Alan Pardew's side lost to both West Ham and Swansea in recent weeks and are struggling to reach the lofty heights of last season.

It does not get any easier for Newcastle at St Mary's Stadium against a side fresh off a confidence-boosting victory. Southampton heaped further pressure on cellar-dwellers Queens Park Rangers as they claimed a crucial 3-1 win at Loftus Road last week.

The win not only moved the club within a point of safety, but eased the strain on manager Nigel Adkins. Towering forward Rickie Lambert also ended his six-game scoreless run by opening the scoring against QPR and the striker would be hoping to add to his tally on Sunday.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

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

Newcastle 2 (Shearer, Bramble) Southampton 1 (Crouch), Premier League, January 2005

Southampton 1 (Svensson) Newcastle (Prutton OG, Carr), Premier League, September 2004

STATS

Southampton’s 12 matches have produced 48 goals at exactly four per game

Newcastle have won six and lost none of the last eight games in all competitions against Southampton, but they have not met since the 2006 FA Cup

If only goals from corners counted this season, Southampton would be in second place

Seven headed goals have been scored at St Mary’s this season, only the Hawthorns (8) has seen more

ODDS

Southampton to win: 2.30

Newcastle to win: 3.00

Draw: 3.40

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm