Football Results

This match of the 30th round of English Premier League is another clash between teams that struggle to survive, where 16th-placed Newcastle has at the moment one point more than 17th-positioned Southampton. It is interesting that both teams won by one match, lost one and drew three in last five rounds, while in the same period the Saints qualified for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Regarding their league match played in Southampton last autumn, it had ended as 2-2 draw.

Newcastle

It means that Newcastle failed to defeat the Saints in last seven head-to-head, but on the other hand it is very important that they managed to pull a draw in Southampton after four consecutive defeats. Their last match played in Newcastle had ended as draw, and the home team will be surely maximally motivated to finally defeat the Saints, especially as they are their direct competitors in the survival race.

However, having in mind Newcastle’s latest matches, it is far more realistic to expect that manager Benitez set a bit more defensive tactic on Saturday, as its main objective is to not lose, while in attack they will rely the most on fleet-footed Gayle and set pieces. Regarding the team, it could undergo slight changes compared to last match, with Liverpool away which Newcastle lost, while due to injuries still out of action are only defender Gamez, midfielders Shelvey and forward Slimani.

Probable lineups Newcastle: Dubravka – Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett – Ritchie, Hayden, Diame, Kenedy – Perez – Gayle

Southampton

The guests from Hampshire lost their last league match to Liverpool too, but after that they drew two Premier League matches, with Burnley away and Stoke at home, so at the moment they have one point more than 18th-placed Crystal Palace. The Saints recently reached the quarter-finals of FA Cup thanks to away victory over West Bromwich, which they defeated at the same stadium in the league four rounds ago.

Now, their task against tough Newcastle is definitely a lot harder, especially as the home team needs points for the survival race. Because of that manager of the visiting team Pellegrino will probably opt this time for a more defensive tactic, as it is the most important for Southampton to avoid new defeat. Let’s add that due to injuries the Saturday’s match should skip only stopper Yoshida, midfielder Davis and forward Austin.

Probable lineups Southampton: McCarthy – Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand – Romeu, Lemina – Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond – Carrillo

Verdict:

Given that the two teams are positioned right above the drop zone it is clear that their main objective on Saturday will be to stay undefeated, so it is the most realistic to expect a trench warfare and few goals in the end.

Pick:  under 2.5 goals 1.71 - 71/100 @1XBet