Team news:-
Despite newspaper reports saying the oposite - striker Salomon Rondon has made Newcastle's squad after recovering from a thigh injury he picked up against Crystal Palace but the hosts will be without injured defenders Jamie Sterry and Florian Lejeune
Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina should be in contention following a minor knee problem picked up against Bournemouth, but otherwise Hughes reported no fresh injury worries.
Opta stats
Southampton have lost just one of their 17 home Premier League matches against Newcastle (W12 D4), a 2-1 defeat in September 2004.
Newcastle won their last Premier League match against Southampton in March (3-0) - they haven't won consecutive league games against them since January 2005.
Southampton have won 15 Premier League games against Newcastle - at least three more than against any other opponent.
Southampton have failed to score in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since October 2004. Saints have only gone five Premier League matches in a row without scoring once before, back in April 2001.
Newcastle United have made their worst ever start to a league campaign after nine games (assuming 3 pts/win), picking up just two points from nine Premier League matches.
Merson's prediction
I hope this is not my game on Soccer Saturday! Both teams will be keeping it tight.