Lawrenson, Nicholas & Owen predict Southampton vs Newcastle – A real mixed bag..

The usual suspects have released their predictions ahead of our trip to St Mary’s tomorrow afternoon – and between them it’s a real mixed bag.

Mark Lawrenson has told the BBC we’ll make life difficult for the Saints and win 0-1, Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas is backing it to end all square, while former Mag Michael Owen believes the game will be settled by a Danny Ings goal – predicting it’ll end 1-0 to the hosts.

Here’s what each have had to say in the build up to tomorrow’s game on the South coast:

Mark Lawrenson (BBC)

These two teams are hovering just above the relegation battle, and neither of them are in great form.

Southampton have lost three of their past four league matches, while Newcastle are winless in five league games and have not scored in four of them.

‘Newcastle have found the net in the FA Cup, however, scoring three against West Brom in midweek to reach the quarter-finals. I think that is significant.

I am sure Steve Bruce will still set his side up like Scrooge, and their priority will be to give nothing away – but I also think they will have enough about them to nick it.

Prediction: Southampton 0-1 Newcastle

Charlie Nicholas (Sky Sports)

Both of these teams have impressed me in different ways. Southampton’s away form has generally been very good and Ralph Hasenhuttl has turned them around since the Leicester defeat in October. We applaud the form of Danny Ings this season, and it was a surprise that he was left out from the start against West Ham last weekend.

I don’t think that’s going to happen again here, but Southampton’s home form is pretty dismal. They don’t know how to break teams down, and Newcastle will be organised and well-drilled.

I don’t see either team in relegation trouble although at the moment, they’ll still feel it. I can’t separate them.

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Newcastle

Michael Owen (Bet Victor:

Both Southampton and Newcastle are suffering from very patchy form of late.

The Magpies have failed to score in their last four league matches while Southampton’s latest defeat to West Ham was full of uncharacteristic errors.

I’m certainly not banking on an end-to-end classic here, but I do fancy a narrow win for the Saints with Danny Ings scoring the only goal.

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Newcastle

There’s no reason why we can’t go to Southampton – who’ve lost 3 of their last 4 – and come away with a win if we play as we did in the first 60 minutes at West Brom on Tuesday.

That said, we’ll have to keep it tight at the back and get the balance right at both ends, with this formation giving us an extra option in attack but one less body at the back!

How do you see the game going tomorrow?

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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