On Friday night, at 20:00, Southampton and Newcastle meet in the beginning of the 8th round of the Premier League, in a match in which we will bet bravely, on goals and on corners. It is normal to see a pleasant show between the two teams, which have high quality players in the offensive. There are, however, a few batch problems, especially in Ralf Hasenhuttl’s camp.
In the standings, Southampton is on the 5th place (goal difference 14-12), with four victories and a draw in the last five matches. Newcastle is in 11th place (goal difference 10-11), still far from relegation worries. The last direct duel ended with the victory of the “cotofenele” away, score 1-0, decided by Saint-Maximin’s goal, in March 2020. It was a beautiful goal of the Frenchman, in a match that had “everything”: elimination of Djenepo (’28), but also the penalty missed by Ritchie.
If Steve Bruce can’t count on Dubravka, Gayle, Ritchie and Shelvey, the “saints” manager has to do without the services of goal scorer Danny Ings. This is not Southampton’s only absentee. Without a defeat of five matches, in which we include a draw on Chelsea’s field (3-3), the white-reds must improvise on Friday night. Boufal, Elyounoussi, Gunn, Johnson, Ings and Josh Sims are the players that Ralph Hasenhuttl will not be able to rely on in Friday’s match.
Bednarek and Bertrand also complained of medical problems, but there is a good chance that they will recover by the time of the match with Newcastle. In any case, it would be a surprise to see a match without goal phases, especially since the two managers are aware of the defensive vulnerabilities of Friday’s rival. There are two teams that approach the matches “positively” and that is why a good rhythm is expected.
In fact, the two teams that will face each other on Friday night are the only ones that managed to defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s team this season in the Premier League! Morale is solid in both sides at the start of the stage. Newcastle have won 4 of the last 5 “direct”, and in 3 of them 3+ goals have been scored. Moreover, there have been only two away victories in the last 16 direct matches.
Southampton: McCarthy – Walker-Pieters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand – Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott – S. Long, Adams
Coach: Ralph Hasenhuttl
Newcastle: Darlow – Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez – Murphy, Longstaff, Hendrick, Almiron, Lewis – Saint-Maximin – Wilson
Coach: Steve Bruce
There are less than 2.5 goals in the last 4 away matches for Newcastle in the Premier League;
Newcastle has won the last 3 matches with Southampton, in all competitions;
Southampton have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 home games in the Premier League;
Southampton is unbeaten in the last 5 Premier League matches;
In 3 of the last 5 matches between Southampton and Newcastle, over 2.5 goals have been scored;
PREDICTION: Southampton to win @ 1,97
