Southampton vs Newcastle: Match preview, predicted line-ups, quotes, form, injuries and how to watch

When and where to watch Southampton vs Newcastle

Southampton vs Newcastle kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 6 November.

You can catch all the action from St Mary's on NOW via BT TV.

Southampton vs Newcastle match preview 

Two teams with very different objectives meet on Sunday afternoon at St Mary's.

Southampton are fouth from bottom and need to win to pull away from the drop zone before the World Cup begins. 

Inconsistency has plagued Saints' season and after two draws and a win, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side lost 1-0 last weekend. 

They'll have to find goals from somewhere if they don't want to continue their season looking over their shoulder. 

At the opposite end of the table, Newcastle are fourth from top. 

Having lost only once this season, Eddie Howe will be targeting three points from their trip down south. 

In a week where Pep Guardiola said that Newcastle are title contenders, the Magpies can reinforce that statement with a win.

Their forwards are on fire and their defence has conceded fewer goals than any other side in the league - a real recipe for success this season. 

Plus, with Allan Saint-Maximin back in the fold, Newcastle have another attacking option who can carve out a piece of magic from nothing when they need something special up front. 

Southampton vs Newcastle predicted line-ups

Southampton: (3-5-2) Bazunu; Lyanco, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, S Armstrong, Perraud, Aribo, Adams. 

Newcastle: (4-3-3) Pope; Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Saint-Maximin, Sean Longstaff, Guimaraes, Murphy, Wilson, Almiron.

Southampton vs Newcastle: Injuries and suspensions

Southampton could welcome back German centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap. 

The 20-year-old summer signing from VfL Bochum injured his shoulder against West Ham in October and has been out since. 

Saints' manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "He is back in training and has trained everything and shows no fear."

Hasenhuttl has more positive news on the injury front too, with 18-year-old Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia returning to the fold after being out with a hamstring injury since scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win against Chelsea back in August. 

The Austrian boss is likely to take his time integrating the youngster back into the starting eleven, though. He commented: 

"Romeo Lavia is in contention, yes. He had some problems with his knees which is common when you are long out, then you have some other issues.

"You have to be careful. Yesterday he was not training, but I think he will be part of the squad on the weekend."

Newcastle United are without their Brazilian midfielder Joelinton for the trip down south after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa last weekend. 

Allan Saint-Maximin made an appearance off the bench in that same match having been out since August with a hamstring injury. The Frenchman could get a long-awaited start on Sunday. 

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is back in full training after two months out with an ankle injury and could make the bench as backup to Newcastle's number one, Nick Pope.

Southampton vs Newcastle: Form guide

Southampton seem incapable of sustaining a good run of form, with good results often followed by poor ones. 

Often when facing teams around them in the table, who perhaps Southampton would fancy their chances against, they've lost by a single goal. That's been the case against Aston Villa, Wolves, Crystal Palace and Everton so far this season.

Last month they went on a min-run which saw them draw with West Ham, beat Bournemouth and secure a great point against league leaders Arsenal. It looked like the Saints had finally found their groove, but at the weekend they lost 1-0 at Selhurst Park. 

Hasenhuttl will be hoping that was just a blip and that they can get back in the goove at the weekend. 

Newcastle are on a stuning run of form which has seen them lose just once this season - an injury time defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. 

The Magpies have drawn a lot of matches, but have only shared the points once in their last six outings - a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. 

Eddie Howe's side have taken points against Manchester City and Tottenham this season, but have also dropped some against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. 

They'll need to take maximum points away at Southampton to stay in the mix and mount a serious title challenge. 

Southampton vs Newcastle: Last time they met

The Geordies took three points with them back to the North East last time they visited St Mary's in March this year.

The Saints took the lead after 25 minutes through Stuart Armstrong, but Newcastle fired back with goals from Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes to continue their rivival under Eddie Howe. 

He said what?!

Eddie Howe on the challenge they face against Southampton: 

"Southampton's a very difficult game. I've got a lot of respect for Ralph (Hasenhuttl). I think he's done a very good job there over a long period of time.

"They're very difficult to read and a team that changes system and personnel a lot so to try and fix what they're going to do is tough.

"They've had a few injuries as well to some of their key players but they look they're returning to the squad so that will give them a lift.

"We're aware it'll be a very difficult game. They've got a lot of youth in the squad now so, physically, we'll have to be very good.

"We have to prepare well this week and get our messages right. We'll do everything we can to get the players, when they enter the pitch, in a confident place and hopefully we can deliver what we need to at the highest level."

Southampton vs Newcastle: Players to watch

Two players could be making a return to their sides this weekend after a long time out through injury. 

Southampton could reintroduce their young German centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap to their defence.

The 20-year-old has been out since injuring his shoulder against West Ham in mid-October.

He had impressed in the heart of Saints' defence, with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl saying "when you see the physical quality he has it is perfect for the Premier League” after the Saints beat Chelsea in August. 

Bella-Kotchap has one international cap for Germany, which came at Wembley in a 3-3 draw against England in September. He's also been linked with Liverpool. 

With Joelinton suspended for the trip to St Mary's after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend, Allan Saint-Maximin could start. 

The Frenchman has been out since late-August with a hamstring injury, but came off the bench late on against Villa to get a few minutes under his belt. 

In his absense Newcastle have been in blistering form, losing just once, in his first game out, against Liverpool. 

Players like Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have all stepped up to the plate, while defensively Eddie Howe's side has looked strong and disciplined. Can the maverick Saint-Maximin effortlessly slot back into the side? 

The last time the 25-year-old started for the Magpies he put in a stunning display and scored a wonderful 90th-minute volley to salvage a point away at Wolves. 

Southampton vs Newcastle: Key stats

• Southampton haven't won any of their last 13 Premier League games against teams starting the day in the top four of the table (D5 L8) since a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in January 2021. Saints have conceded 39 goals across these 13 games, at an average of three per game.

• Southampton have won just one of their last eight Premier League games (D2 L5), while just one of their three Premier League victories so far this season has come on home soil (2-1 v Chelsea in August). 

• Excluding own goals, only Chelsea (11) have had more different goalscorers in the Premier League than Newcastle this season (10), while only Brighton (7) and Arsenal (10) have made fewer changes to their starting XI than the Magpies (17). 

• Newcastle have conceded just 10 goals in 13 Premier League games this season, fewer than any other side and 19 fewer than they'd shipped at this stage last season. At the other end they've scored 24 goals, taking them 22 games to reach this tally in 2021-22. 

• Only Bournemouth (7.8) and Crystal Palace (12) have a lower expected goals total than Southampton in the Premier League this season (12.1), while only Manchester City (24.4) have a higher xG than Newcastle (23.1).

• Callum Wilson has scored 26 Premier League goals for Newcastle, at least 14 more than any other player since he joined the club ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. Wilson has also been involved in four goals in his last three appearances against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium (3 goals, 1 assist)