Newcastle United vs Southampton. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance44,017.
Allan Saint-Maximin is expected to be fit for Newcastle; Southampton striker Stuart Armstrong will miss the trip to St James' Park; follow Newcastle vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel at 5.15pm
Friday 27 August 2021 13:22, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Newcastle vs Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Newcastle forward Allan Saint-Maximin is expected to be fit to face Southampton on Saturday.
The Frenchman emerged from Wednesday night's Carabao Cup defeat by Burnley, during which he was introduced as a second-half substitute, with a minor foot injury, but head coach Steve Bruce is confident he will be available.
Defender Paul Dummett is back in training after a calf problem and midfielder Isaac Hayden could return from a knee injury but keepers Martin Dubravka (foot) and Karl Darlow (Covid-19) are still out and Jonjo Shelvey is working his way back from a calf strain.
Southampton striker Stuart Armstrong will miss the trip to the north east.
The former Celtic midfielder has a calf problem, and is yet to return to first-team training.
Will Smallbone remains out with long-term knee trouble, while the St James' Park clash could come too soon for new recruit Lyanco.
Follow Newcastle vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel at 5.15pm.
I'm all over Newcastle here at the prices on offer.
To my eye and when assessing all the key performance data metrics, they are simply a better team than Southampton and carry much more of an attacking threat in the final third. When you also factor in home advantage and the way Saints defended set-plays last weekend in the draw with Manchester United, the 6/4 with Sky Bet has got my name all over it.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's side conceded a whopping 1.36 expected goal figure via United's corners and free-kicks last weekend with Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire and Nemanja Matic all squandering good probability chances. Richarlison also managed to score via a recycled corner that Southampton didn't deal with in their opening weekend defeat at Everton. I have big reservations about the Saints in that department and if Newcastle can get their delivery right through Matt Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey, good opportunities should drop their way.
It's worth keeping across the Newcastle teamsheet as Federico Fernandez (28/1 with Sky Bet) and Ciaran Clark (12/1 with Sky Bet) are both runners to score via a header.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0
BETTING ANGLE: Newcastle to win (6/4 with Sky Bet)
Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at Anfield live on Sky Sports on Saturday night and Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith on the Essential Football Podcast to preview the big clash between two Premier League title hopefuls.
PART 1: It's Virgil van Dijk vs Romelu Lukaku at Anfield this weekend - but who will come out on top? Jamie Redknapp gives his verdict. Plus, the Sky Sports pundit reflects on Harry Kane staying at Spurs - and reveals what the striker is like on the golf course!
PART 2: Sky Sports Football journalist Charlotte Marsh takes a look at a new role for Adama Traore for a Wolves side who have managed 42 shots but 0 goals in their first two Premier League games, and we dissect Man Utd's remarkable run of results away from home.
PART 3: We preview Leeds' trip to Burnley and Data Editor Adam Smith names the statistically best-performing English players across Europe from the opening rounds - with several surprise names in the side!
