Newcastle United will take on Southampton at St. James’ Park on Saturday, looking to begin the 2024/25 season with a bang.
Newcastle United will look to secure UEFA Champions League qualification this season after a sub-par campaign last term, and they will look pick up a positive result at home against Southampton in their opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
On paper, the Magpies are certainly the favourites here, and it remains to be seen whether the players can step up and get the job done. On the other hand, Southampton have returned to the Premier League after an impressive season in the EFL Championship, and they will look to establish themselves as Premier League regulars once again.
The visitors will look to pull off an upset here and begin the new season on a high. They certainly have the quality to grind out a result here, and it remains to be seen how the contest unfolds. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have a number of injury problems heading into this game. Sven Botman misses out with a knee injury, Jamaal Lascelles has a knee problem as well, Lewis Miley has an ankle issue, Matt Targett misses out with a calf injury, Callum Wilson has a back injury, and Fabian Schar misses out with a foot problem. Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
The home side are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Nick Pope in goal. Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall will start as the full backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. At the heart of the defence, Dan Burn will start alongside Lloyd Kelly.
As for the midfield unit, Sean Longstaff will start as the defensive midfielder, and he will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side. Bruno Guimaraes will start alongside him with Joelinton in the middle of the park.
The two Brazilian midfielders will add creativity, control and drive to the side. Finally, Alexander Isak will lead the line for Newcastle United against Southampton, with Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Burn, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Southampton
The newly promoted side will be without Gavin Bazunu because of a calf injury. Meanwhile, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ross Stewart, and Adam Lallana will be assessed closer to kick off.
Southampton will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation against Newcastle United, with Alex McCarthy in goal. In the back three, Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start alongside Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens. Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will start as the wing-backs. They will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defenders as well.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Aribo will start alongside Flynn Downes and Will Smallbone in the middle of the park. They will look to outnumber Newcastle United in the midfield and control the tempo of the game. Adam Armstrong will start alongside Ben Brereton Diaz in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): McCarthy; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Sugawara, Aribo, Smallbone, Downes, Walker-Peters; Armstrong, Diaz
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have scored at least two goals in their last eight home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have seen over 2.5 goals in their last nine home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have won five of the last six matches against Southampton.
- Southampton have scored six goals in six matches against Newcastle.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Five of the last six matches between these two sides have seen both teams score.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
The Swedish international striker was outstanding last season, and he will look to continue in his rich vein of form. He could cause all sorts of problems for the Southampton defence with his pace, flair and technical ability in the final third. He is our key player to watch out for and Newcastle will need him in top form this season if they want to return to the Champions League.
Prediction
Newcastle United 3-1 Southampton
Newcastle United are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and they will be determined to grind out a positive result at home. The home fans will be expecting a strong performance from the players, and the Magpies cannot afford to slip up against the newly promoted outfit if they are serious about finishing in the top four.
Meanwhile, Southampton will look to put up a fight here as well, but the gulf in class between the two teams should see Newcastle United win the game eventually. A comfortable 3-1 win for the home team is on the cards.