As the Premier League season kicks off, the spotlight turns to newly promoted teams striving to establish themselves in the top flight.
August 17th, Newcastle United will host Southampton at St. James’ Park in a match that promises to be significant for both clubs as they seek to set a positive tone for the season ahead.
Match Preview
Newcastle United finished last season in 7th place with 60 points, showcasing a strong campaign that has set high expectations for the upcoming season.
They enter this match with a solid preseason record, having secured four victories out of five friendlies, including a recent 1-0 win over Brest.
This performance demonstrates their readiness for the competitive challenges of the Premier League, although they did suffer a disappointing 2-0 loss to Yokohama F. Marinos during the preseason.
In the Premier League, Newcastle has shown resilience, remaining undefeated in four of their last five fixtures, with notable wins against Sheffield United and Brentford at home, as well as a victory over Burnley.
They have also managed to hold Brighton to a draw and suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
The Magpies have been particularly strong at home, going unbeaten in their last eight league games at St. James’ Park and having a favorable record against Southampton, winning their last three league encounters.
Southampton, on the other hand, is making their return to the Premier League after finishing 4th in the Championship last season with 87 points, securing promotion through the playoffs.
They approach this match following a goalless draw against Getafe in their final friendly.
Their preseason included wins over Eastleigh, Bordeaux, Montpellier, and Millwall, but they also faced a 2-0 defeat against Oxford United.
While Southampton ended last season on a high note in the Championship, securing three vital wins in their final seven matches, they will need to shake off the memories of a challenging last stint in the Premier League, where they failed to win any of their final 13 games.
Head to Head
The historical encounters between Newcastle United and Southampton have heavily favored the Magpies.
Newcastle has not lost to Southampton in their last 14 home league matches, winning the last three.
This strong head-to-head record could play a crucial role as they prepare for this encounter.
Team News
In terms of injuries, Newcastle United will be without Matthew Targett, Lewis Miley, and Jamaal Lascelles.
There are also concerns regarding the fitness of key players Fabian Schär and Callum Wilson, which could affect their lineup.
Southampton will travel to St. James’ Park without their injured forward Kamaldeen Sulemana.
However, they have bolstered their squad with recent signings, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, Ben Brereton Díaz, and Yukinari Sugawara, who could all make their competitive debuts.
Prediction
Given Newcastle United’s strong home form and favorable historical record against Southampton, we predict that the Magpies will secure a victory in this match.
However, with Southampton’s attacking potential, they are likely to find the net as well, leading us to anticipate a scoreline that reflects both teams’ contributions.
- Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Southampton
Betting Tips
Newcastle United to Win: With their strong form and home advantage, betting on a Newcastle victory is a solid choice.
Both Teams to Score: Considering Southampton’s attacking capabilities, a wager on both teams finding the net is advisable.
Over 2.5 Goals: Given the potential for an open game with both teams scoring, betting on over 2.5 goals could yield favorable returns.
First Half Newcastle Lead: Betting on Newcastle to lead at halftime could be a strategic option, reflecting their strong start to games.
