Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Newcastle United

Published on: 05/04/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Newcastle United

April 09, 2016 15:00pm - St. Mary`s Stadium

Premier League

Southampton will try to keep their European hopes alive when they take on a Newcastle United side who are fighting for their Premier League survival at St. Mary`s Stadium on Saturday.

Still plenty to play for the Saints

Southampton will be looking for a strong finish to their Premier League campaign as they chase down the coveted European places. The Saints remain six points adrift of fifth place but have played a game more than most of their rivals.

In their last match, they were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Leicester City but remained in seventh place after both Stoke City and Liverpool failed to win their games. On home soil, the South Coast side have lost just one of their last seven league matches, having drawn one and lost the other.

Newcastle desperate for a win

Rafa Benitez`s arrival on Tyneside has yet to have the desired effect as the northeast club has only picked up one point from his first three games in charge. A win this weekend could give them a much-needed, while defeat could leave them with too much to do in the final six games.

If they are to survive, the Geordies will have to overhaul a six-point gap to Norwich City, who currently occupy the first safety position. The Magpies do have a game in hand and will need to make that count.

In their last game, Benitez`s men came from two goals behind against rivals Norwich to level the scores at 2-2 only to then concede in the dying moments of the game.

Team news

Matt Targett and Florin Gardos are both unavailable for the home side.

Meanwhile, Rob Elliott, Massadio Haidara, Tim Krul and Curtis Good are all on the sick lost for the Geordies, while Fabricio Coloccini and Kevin Mbabu are both doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Southampton: LWWDL

Newcastle United: LDLLL

Betting odds and tips

Southampton could only manage a draw at home to Sunderland recently and with Newcastle battling for their lives, another draw could be on the cards.

You can back the draw at 3/1 with Bet365.

Published on: 05/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (05/04/2016 16:55:03) but are subject to change.