Verdict: Draw

Looking to build off of their FA Cup victory in midweek, Newcastle will make the trip to St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon hoping to end their Premier League winless run.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, while Southampton may have managed to pick up a 2-0 win over Aston Villa a fortnight ago, the South Coast outfit came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Largely outplayed and hit with a 3-1 defeat away at relegation scrappers West Ham last time out, the Saints have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions. While their eye-catching run of form opening the New Year may have helped Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side find a route away from the bottom-three, the former RB Leipzig boss has also seen his side collect three Premier League points out of a possible 12 over the past month. Continuing to show some of their early-season issues at the back and leading marksman Danny Ings recording just one goal in his last six top-flight appearances, Southampton also hold a worrying record against Saturday’s guests. Hit with a 2-1 defeat in the North East earlier in the season, the Saints have suffered back-to-back defeats against Newcastle and have not landed a win over the Magpies since April 2016.

Team News

Southampton’s Moussa Djenepo is set to return after missing last week’s defeat because of a family bereavement.

Stuart Armstrong misses out after suffering a concussion, while Will Smallbone is sidelined with illness.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, picking up a 3-2 win away at Championship leaders West Brom in midweek and booking their spot in the quarter-final of this year’s FA Cup, Newcastle are now desperate to end their worrying winless run in the top-flight. With many around St. James’ Park still looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Steve Bruce’s side have failed to win any of their last five Premier League appearances. More worrying for the former Sunderland boss, his side have landed just a sole league victory since the 21st of December, a 10-match run. Playing out a 0-0 draw against Burnley on home soil last weekend, there is no doubt that Bruce will be hugely concerned by his side’s issues in the final third. With big-money arrival Joelinton landing just one Premier League goals following his move from Hoffenheim, Newcastle have now failed to find the net in their last four top-flight matches on the bounce, their worst attacking rut since September 2015.

Team News

Newcastle’s Javi Manquillo, who has just returned from a torn hamstring, was sore after playing 90 minutes twice this week, so he will be assessed.

Winger Allan Saint-Maximin should be fit after showing no ill effects on his return from a hamstring problem.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 2-1 win earlier in the season, Newcastle have landed back-to-back victories against Southampton.
• In fact, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Saints, winning three of those contests.
• Southampton have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
• Newcastle have failed to find the net in their last four Premier League matches on the bounce, their worst attacking record since September 2015.
• Danny Ings has scored just one goal in his last six Premier League matches.

Conclusion

While Newcastle might have managed to book their spot in the quarter-final of this year’s FA Cup in midweek, the Magpies have continued on a worrying Premier League rut. With a growing reputation for their issues in the final third, Saturday’s trip to the South Coast could be a cagey encounter. Also showing some real cause for concern over the past month after what was a 3-1 hammering away at West Ham last weekend, Southampton are another side who are simply desperate to end their barren run. With both of the previous two meetings between the two sides at St. Mary’s ending in a stalemate, we’re backing a similar outcome on Saturday afternoon.