Southampton v Newcastle: Premier League predictions, betting preview, free tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Southampton v Newcastle in the Premier League on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8pm, Friday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 13-5 general

Team news

Southampton
Top scorer Danny Ings is out for up to six weeks. Mohammed Salisu and Will Smallbone are also out while Ryan Bertrand, Jan Bednarek and Ibrahima Diallo are doubts.

Newcastle
Matty Longstaff, Paul Dummett and Ciaran Clark are back but Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Dubravka and Matt Ritchie remain sidelined.

Match preview

Newcastle did the double over Southampton last season and after toppling Everton last weekend will be confident they can put a spanner in the works of another bunch of surprise highflyers.

The Toon aren't the prettiest yet it's their best start to a Premier League season for a decade and shows what's possible even with less than 40 percent possession.

So don't expect Newcastle to be on the front foot at St Mary's but do expect them to be well organised, a major threat on the break and more than good enough to give Saints a serious test.

Newcastle have drawn their last two away games – 1-1 at Tottenham and the same scoreline at Wolves – and most of their games are tight and settled by fractions. Another close call here could well end in a stalemate.

Southampton are unbeaten in five and also going well. The club are getting the benefit of sticking with Ralph Hasenhuttl, who they could have sacked at several points during his two-year reign.

They were outstanding for long periods at Aston Villa last Sunday when they raced into a 4-0 lead only for Villa to hit back with three late goals.

Last season's top scorer Danny Ings was among the goals once more, and heads the charts again with five, but will miss this game because of a knee problem. That's a stroke of good fortune for Steve Bruce just days after they took on an Everton side missing their talisman James Rodriguez.

If Southampton have a weakness it's that they lack the creativity to break down a packed and organised defence which is exactly what Newcastle boast.

Key stat

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six matches against Southampton.

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