Southampton welcome a high-flying Newcastle United side to St Mary's in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints have won just one of their last eight top-flight matches, scoring a pitiful four goals in this dry spell. Newcastle rattled four past Aston Villa in less than half an hour last Saturday, cementing their standing inside the division's top four.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between two sides enduring and enjoying dramatically different campaigns.
Where are Southampton vs Newcastle playing?
- Location: Southampton, England
- Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
- Date: Sunday 6 November
- Kick-off Time: 14:00 GMT / 10:00 EST / 07:00 PST
- VAR: Mike Dean
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
Southampton vs Newcastle H2H Results (Last Five Games)
- Southampton: 1 Win
- Newcastle: 3 Wins
- Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Southampton: LDWDL
- Newcastle: WDWWW
Southampton team news
Southampton are set to be without both of their first-choice right-backs, Kyle Walker-Peters and Tino Livramento, until after the World Cup.
Armel Bella-Kotchap is further along in his recovery from a dislocated shoulder and returned to training ahead of Newcastle's visit. Romeo Lavia turned out for the club's B team last Sunday and is expected to return to first-team duty.
Samuel Edozie injured himself during the 8-1 win and is a doubt alongside Stuart Armstrong, who picked up a knock against Crystal Palace for the seniors.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Newcastle
Southampton Starting 11 (3-5-2): Bazunu; Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu; Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Diallo, Perraud; Aribo, Adams.
Bench: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, A Armstrong, S Armstrong, Mara, Djenepo, Bella-Kotchap, Larios, Walcott.
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe warned that "a number of players" have been "feeling the effects of the busy period". Fabian Schar flagged a minor hamstring complaint last weekend but Howe was optimistic about his swift recovery.
Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett, however, are unlikely to return from calf problems in time. Backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow is nearing the conclusion of a lengthy ankle injury but Alexander Isak (thigh) and Emil Krafth (knee) aren't in contention.
Joelinton will also miss out through suspension after earning his fifth yellow card of the campaign last weekend.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Southampton
Newcastle Starting 11 (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Murphy.
Bench: Karius, Lascelles, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Targett, Manquillo, Wood, Fraser, Anderson.
Southampton vs Newcastle score prediction
Southampton are winless in their last 13 meetings with teams that start the day inside the top four. Their last victory against such lofty opponents came in January 2021 and reduced Ralph Hasenhuttl to tears after bettering Liverpool.
Against a furiously in-form Newcastle side that have hardly fluked their way into the Champions League spots, the Austrian boss may be welling up for the wrong reasons this weekend.
Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Newcastle
Source : 90min