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Mark Lawrenson says Newcastle United have managed to ‘allay’ his fears

4 years ago
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Mark Lawrenson has been talking about today’s game at St James Park.

Two clubs who have ran into a bit of form.

Southampton started the season with just eight points from the first 12 PL games but have picked up seven points in the last three matches.

Whilst for Newcastle it was one win in their first eight games (all competitions) but then four victories and only two defeats in the last eight.

If ever there was a game for Steve Bruce to finally relax his ultra negative tactics you would think it is this game, as nobody has conceded as many goals as the 33 Southampton have leaked, whilst Newcastle are one of only two clubs outside the relegation zone to scloe les than the 17 the Saints have managed.

Mark Lawrenson says that he has been impressed by Newcastle as the season has progressed and ‘they are starting to allay any fears of relegation’, here’s hoping he is right.

The reality though in this strange season of results,with only Liverpool and Leicester looking class acts, is that only four points separate 10 clubs from Southampton in 18th up to Sheffield United in ninth. A win for the Saints would take them only one point behind Newcastle.

So here’s hoping Mark Lawrenson is right for a change with his 2-1 home win prediction.

If ever there was a fixture for teams not travelling well it is this one.

Since March 1997, at St James Park Newcastle have beaten Southampton 10 times, drawn three and lost only one.

Down on the south coast though it is very different, only one Newcastle win, five draws and eight defeats.

Hopefully the Saints travel as well as they usually do up to Tyneside.

Mark Lawrenson talking to BBC Sport:

“Saints are on a good little run with seven points from their past three games.

“But I have been impressed by Newcastle recently too and they are starting to allay any fears of relegation.

“Their home form was not great at first under Steve Bruce.

“But they have only lost once under him at St James Park and their results there will have helped him win the fans over.

“The Magpies got a very good win against Sheffield United on Thursday night and I am backing them again on Sunday.

“Prediction is Newcastle 2 Southampton 1.”

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