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Match Previews

Predicted Newcastle United LineUp vs Southampton

10 years ago
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Match Preview Southampton v Newcastle
Saturday 29 March 3pm

Newcastle United are one place and one point above Southampton, yet we are rank 9/2 outsiders to win the match with the Saints so very short at 7/10. So how does that work?

Well, the bookies have also noticed that with both Cabaye and Remy missing, Newcastle don’t win many matches, even struggling to score a goal in their absence.

A hopeless cause then? Well not necessarily.

The thing is, Southampton’s home form isn’t even all that good, they might have only lost 4 at St.Mary’s but they’ve only won 6, with 5 draws. Newcastle have actually won 7 times on their travels so if Alan Pardew comes up with the right team selection then I think we have possibilities.

I will say firstly, if the Newcastle manager starts with the same outfield ten players as the last two matches,we’ll definitely get beat. Will he change it apart from the enforced Elliot for Krul – sadly I think there is every chance he won’t.

Playing fantasy football for a minute, my team suggestion and formation is below.

While Krul, Remy and Debuchy all miss, I do think we have a possible array of players who could gel and cause the home side problems.

For starters, if Santon is passed fit then it is a no-brainer for me to have him and Haidara replacing both Mapou and Dummett at full-back, straight away you would be adding pace on both flanks and adding something to the attacking potential.

As for the engine room, surely we can’t leave Tiote to fight a lone battle yet again, I say get Sissoko alongside him and let’s try and win that midfield fight, plus Sissoko can make the odd surge forward with Tiote holding. Vurnon Anita is a big problem for our team in my opinion, the team overall gets compromised because it has to then make up for Anita’s failings of mobility, strength, height, pace, you name it.

Cisse obviously has to play up front and De Jong and Gouffran will give you at least hard work, though possibly more if they have more license to get in and around Cisse with the full-backs also getting up in support.

As for our wildcard, we’ll definitely know that he’s gone potty if Alan Pardew ignores Hatem Ben Arfa yet again. We might have had a lot of possession against Everton but in reality we might as well just boot it forward because 99% of the passes happen in non-dangerous areas with nobody capable of trying something remarkable…like trying to beat his man!

Instead we get the ball worked around the pitch before aimless balls are lashed hopefully into the box from wide, despite Newcastle rarely having more than one player in the eighteen yard box when they are delivered.

Southampton have a few injured including big midfield signing Victor Wanyama but they have a real talented squad including quality young home-produced players such as Shaw and Lallana.

They’ll play nice football and will pose a real threat so of course United will have to work hard to counter that. However, part of working hard is also to retain the ball and that is by far the best way to relieve pressure and create your own positivity.

I think Tiote and Sissoko can do much to nullify the home side’s threat and then Ben Arfa can use that platform to hurt them at the other end.

Will he get the chance? Let’s hope so.

Betting – NUFC Win 9/2 – Ben Arfa Score First Goal 14/1 – NUFC Win 2-0 33/1

To view all Southampton v Newcastle betting click HERE (Prices can fluctuate up and down)

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