Saturday’s win over Brighton was our third victory on the spin at St James’ Park, however we now facing a run of away games, with trips to Southampton, Chelsea and Everton come over the next eight days.
First up, we face a Saints side who come into this one off the back of a 4-0 hammering at Aston Villa – but don’t let that result fool you.
Until that heavy defeat last weekend, Southampton had only lost one Premier League match since December 11th (2021), with only Liverpool losing less home games than Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
So, it’ll be a tough test, yet one we are more than capable of overcoming based on our incredible rise to form.
Not only are we eight games unbeaten – winning FIVE of our last six – our last three away games have featured wins to nil at Leeds and Brentford, along with a convincing 1-1 draw at top four contenders, West Ham.
Momentum is on our side and this one presents yet another opportunity to all but secure our Premier League status – something we must not take for granted now we’ve managed to pull seven points clear.
Team news
Allan Saint-Maximin is still “not 100% fit” according to Howe, so it seems likely he starts this one on the bench – not in Eddies’ XI.
With our busy schedule in mind, it’ll be interesting to see if the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Javier Manquillo benefit from possible rotation.
Elsewhere, Matt Ritchie is back in training, while a side strain to Federico Fernandez means he’ll be sidelined along with Kieran Trippier (foot) and Callum Wilson (calf).
As for Southampton, it looks like Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohamed Salisu could return after hamstring issues kept them out of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Villa.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-2-1): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton – Murphy, Fraser – Wood.
Martin Dubravka – Been rock solid in recent weeks, racking up his third clean sheet in our last five games last weekend.
Emil Krafth – The Swede put in a solid shift on Saturday, so I think Howe will stick with what’s been a settled defence and rotate a little more on Sunday instead (meaning Manquillo could start at Chelsea).
Fabian Schar – Was brilliant yet again over the weekend and will need to be at his best again here. Struggled badly in this fixture last season.
Dan Burn – Another monstrous display last time out. Lascelles is fit again, but I can’t see Howe messing with a CB pairing that’s working so well.
Matt Targett – The Aston Villa loanee looks set to start against his boyhood club. Keep playing as he has been and a permanent move this summer will be a no-brainer!
Joelinton – No Premier League player has made more tackles since he dropped back into midfield. Hopefully he can unsettle the influential James Ward-Prowse here.
Jonjo Shelvey – Seems to be one of the first names on the teamsheet under Howe and is backing that up with some disciplined displays. Was quiet on Saturday, but is not longer the liability he once was.
Bruno Guimaraes – The Saints will probably have a lot of possession here, so it’s vital we look after the ball well when we get it. Because of this – and the fact Willock looked shattered on Saturday – I can see him getting his first EPL start here.
Jacob Murphy – With ASM still “not 100% fit”, he seems likely to be handed another start here. Will need to work hard against Southampton’s marauding full-backs and be a little more clinical at the other end.
Ryan Fraser – Back to his best and becoming one of our most creative players. Caused havoc in our last away game and is a player full of confidence.
Chris Wood – Needs a goal, yet proved his worth once again last weekend through hard work, unselfish running and a brilliant through ball for our opener. After struggling in the air against Dunk and Duffy vs Brighton, I back him to get some joy here!
Predicted Southampton XI (4-2-2-2): Foster – Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters – Romeu, Ward-Prowse – Armstrong, Elyounoussi – Adams, Broja.
Match prediction
If Saints duo Salisu and Walker-Peters miss out again, I can see us causing problems and coming away with at least a point.
However, there’s a reason they’ve only lost one game at home all season and I fear our unbeaten run might just come to an end here if they are back to full strength.
Hopefully I’m proven wrong and we leave our first of three away games with another good result!
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Newcastle
HOWAY THE LADS!
There’s talk of Howe shuffling the pack a bit more than that Olly.
It’s a tough call coz they did look fatigued in the 2nd half of Brighton.
Does he stick with them against Saints coz it’s a good chance of points, then rest them against Chelsea – it’s pretty much a write off game. Then they’re fit again for Everton.
But then the Palace game has been rescheduled and there’s talk of another trip away for them.
I’d be happy playing our strongest 11 for Saints & Everton, and the fringe players against Chelsea before then get a break ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I was leaning towards an unchanged team but have changed my mind. I think Eddie is playing mind games by saying Maxi is not 100%. I just get the feeling he is messing with S’ton. I also think this is the game Bruno starts. He has the excuse of rotation now so I think Willock will start on the bench. He proved last year that he is great as an impact sub and he saved Bruce’s bacon. This keeps it tight for the 1st half hour against a team that has a great home record.
I looked at the S’ton team as well and they have some quality. That Broja kid on loan from Chelsea is supposed to be very good.
I am going 1-1 to keep our run going. S’ton are involved in a lot of draws.
What they were doing at Villa on the weekend I have no clue. Hope that is the team who turn up 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Benzema hattrick!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Wow just watched the Madrid v PSG game & could not see Madrid getting a goal never mind a win.
Benzema is so clinical & PSG are so fragile.
Man Utd banging on as if Poch is their saviour – he’s got a group of players there like a cheat on a manager game. He had them 2 goals to the good with 45 mins to see out and they collapsed.
He’ll be at Man Utd next season coz PSG will shift him for Zidane I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I reckon Man U will be able to get Poch. PSG have to consider going out in the last 16 a failure, even to Madrid. I think by adding Messi they thought this was their year. They may lose MBappe in the summer so this was it for them.
Poch has this stellar reputation but he was sacked by Spurs. I know he asked Levy to freshen the team but they were mid-table with Kane and Son FFS.
I think Poch will fail at Man U as well. They need a complete overhaul with former superstars leaving and the overrated Pogba out as well. Currently, I would pick our midfield over theirs and we will get a top class striker in the window.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think there’ll be one or two changed at most tonight – maybe Guimaraes and Manquillo.
But I’d predict just one vs Saints (likely Guimaraes as our midfield faded on Saturday) and then Manquillo, ASM to come in vs Chelsea. Maybe even Longstaff for Shelvey, too.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
All of the games today impact us. I will guess at the likely results with a bit of a bias towards us. The bookies have S’ton at evens and a NUFC win and draw a bit over 2-1.
Norwich v Chelsea – Away Win
Wolves v Watford – Home Win
S’ton v NUFC – Draw
Leeds v Villa – Away Win
It would be really good to get something from tonight and S’ton do draw a lot of games.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Olly – I worried about our schedule over the next 6 weeks, but the Palace game gives us a timely break again.
I do hope he’s sensible with the players not fully fit.
We have had an amazing run over the last 8 games, but there are still a lot of games & points left.
Be sensible now for the final 10 games and we might even get our best 11 fielded for the run in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Southampton Record:
W 8
D 11
L 8
Points 35
They are not THAT far ahead of us, although they do have a very good home record.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
You would have to say that if we did not have the Cabbage and his Brussel Sprouts (The Steves and a Graeme) in charge for 11 games that we would probably be on par with Southampton now.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Abramovich’s UK assets have been frozen. That has to add confusion to Sunday’s game. Chelsea players and staff will now be in limbo so it has to affect them no matter how a-political they claim to be.
It also has to affect any sale as the proceeds would also be frozen.
I did see the other day that he had sailed his super-yacht to another port after Usmanov’s was sequestered.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Usually, when there is turmoil behind the scenes, like with the Russians at Chelsea and Everton, it filters down at least a bit to the staff and players. They have to be wondering what the hell is going on.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I dont want to get all political but I will just say one thing about Ukraine because the freezing of the Oligarch’s assets does affect football. Let me preface this by saying it is a terrible thing for the Ukrainian people and nobody deserves war. However, I think Putin has made a massive miscalculation here. The West have been looking for an excuse to isolate Russia and limit their global influence. He has just handed it to them on a plate and the sanctions will cause a recession in Russia and cause more opposition to him there.
It might hurt NUFC though. There will undoubtedly be calls to have an after the fact owners test and cries for human rights issues to be part of this. It would be totally hypocritical of the Govt to include the Saudis because of how much business the UK does there, but that wont stop the PL from trying again to stop Saudi ownership of NUFC.
We know there is dirt on Masters and the Cartel or the takeover wouldnt have happened in the first place, but once this UK crisis passes we will see renewed pressure.
It’s never easy being a NUFC fan.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
As sure as night follows day we will see reasoning that if the Govt/PL can kick the Oligarchs out of football then why cant they kick out the Saudis.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Does anyone know if our match is televised tonight?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Eric – what is going on in Ukraine is truly horrific. But what has been happening in Yemen for many years now is worse again – and the civil war there involves a Saudi led military group.
Yemen is on their doorstep and the PL still allowed them in. The Saudis would be best trying to find a resolution for the millions suffering there if they want to really convince the world they have changed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I know very little about Yemen. What I do know is that certain groups and PL team supporters will equate the Saudis with the Russians and demand that our owners also be kicked out of the PL. It is inevitable that the demands will be made, even though they are 2 completely different geopolitical situations and there is no way the UK Govt will institute sanctions on the Saudis.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Back to our game, even though this politics does relate to football because it is changing the landscape by removing the Russian money.
This could be a good day for us as long as we get at least a draw.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I don’t want to get into world politics, but just coz the Saudis are now our owner – and will likely improve our club beyond our imagination, they are far from misunderstood.
I want our club to be great again, I really do. To have experienced it once under Hall, then experience life under Ashley – I want nothing more than for our club to be a force again.
But I take little comfort in the Saudis being our saviour.
I’ve looked at the Saudi Vision 2030 – their project to change their economy and state set up. It’s driven by them being a Country who’s wealth has came from Oil (much like Russia with gas).
It doesn’t lay out how they intend to integrate with the rest of the World though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The situation in Yemen is very complex. As far as I know, Houthi rebels backed by Iran tried to overthrow the Yemen government. SA and UAE stepped in to support the Yemen government against Iran. Who’s right and who’s wrong is anybodys guess but as usual, it’s the normal citizens that suffer.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I see Abramovich has been sanctioned and can no longer sell Chelsea. It also affects running of the club, ticket sales etc. they will get a special dispensation to allow salaries to get paid and games to go on. May well effect the team too. Perhaps a chance for us to get a result?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I saw they can’t buy players either – so they can’t turn Saul’s loan into a permanent switch.
I don’t know what it means about renewed contracts for those out of contract at the end of the season.
But if they can’t renew deals & cant buy players – they are screwed defensively.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Indeed. We will see how that affects them in the summer I guess! In the meantime, I’m only thinking about Sundays match and getting win! ??
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Likewise mate. I want to feel sorry for the fans that the sanctions will ultimately punish them as well. But when they chanted Abramovichs name when they were supposed to be showing support to Ukraine – f@ck um!!.
He tried to get round it by putting the charity in charge too – but everyone knew he’d still have control.
This could also galvanise them though – us against the world mentality.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Rudiger is a free agent so if Chelsea were in negotiations I think it would block that. I would take him ahead of Botman. Wages would be high though, but if we are going for CL places then that’s what we have to pay.
I think this may throw a spanner in our summer thoughts as you would have to be stupid to not think the PL will bring in after-the-fact ownership rules and they could affect us. They would lose in court but it might block us temporarily. You know the cartel would be for it, especially the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who would see the Chelsea situation as a way of them getting CL football.
Will Chelsea be banned from the CL this year? That is different to the league coz all you have to do is give their opponents a bye. If they were suspended from the PL it would cause chaos.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I wonder what will happen at Everton as well. Usmanov and Moshiri are closely linked.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Don’t think we’ll get more than a draw tonight, Saints bit of a bogey team.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Joelinton dropped. Not even on the bench and Bruno starts. Didn’t see that coming. No ASM either.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I doubt there is any conspiracy for ASM and Big Joe missing. Illness and injury according to Olly.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I’m guessing just resting Joelinton. ASM declared not 100% fit.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The former Lyon midfielder replaces in-form Joelinton, who has a groin problem.
Allan Saint-Maximin also misses out through illness.
From the BBC
PremAndUp(Quote)
The Athletic say ASM is ill and Joelinton is at St Mary’s, so they reckon he’s in with a shout for Sunday the fact he’s travelled for our few days down South.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Combinen age of Ref and VAR official = 101 years old.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Isn’t it great to know that our game is reffed by officials with so much experience 😛
PremAndUp(Quote)
Thought I would tune into nufc official site for radio com but they are playing the Wolves game on the toon website !!!
KIMTOON(Quote)
Norwich 2.0 down
KIMTOON(Quote)
Our defending is absolutely shambolic tonight!!.
Like watching pre Howe
Sharpy17(Quote)
Woody!
Shamrock(Quote)
Great cross by Shelvey too to make up for earlier mistakes. Boom
Shamrock(Quote)
Shouldn’t even be playing!! ??
Great cross & great header – nice one Woodsy, buzzing he’s off the mark & Ralph will be steaming ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Right side needs to be changed. All teams have attacked us down that side recently.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Wolves 3-0 up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Free header for Willock.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Well that was a tough first half. This is going to be a difficult match. Super pleased for Wood and what a pass from Shelvey! I think we may regret that miss from Willock there.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’m watching on bing sports.com btw. Great stream.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah 3rd choice right back and… Murphy…
Willock should have done better, great cross by Bruno.
That Livremenko and Walker-Peters are both mennaces
Shamrock(Quote)
Good first half from Bruno too. Some great passes in.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Cheers for that
KIMTOON(Quote)
Nice that Woody has gotten off the mark
KIMTOON(Quote)
Murphy has pretty much dropped to right back to cover Krafth who is pretty much a CB. Don’t know if that’s to cover Schars injury or if it’s coz Krafth isn’t keen on the pace Saints have out wide.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know Murph isn’t rated too highly, but you can’t knock the lads graft.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wow what a first goal from Bruno
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bruno backheel!
Shamrock(Quote)
Oh my .. can we PLEASE talk about BRUNO?????
Little rascal ????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hate to feed the beast, but Ralph – that was Burn to Bruno … didn’t we recruit well ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Goals from Wood and Bruno so far.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Are tackles not allowed anymore? Fraser earlier now Krafth – both won the ball.
Shamrock(Quote)
https://twitter.com/DailyNUFC_/status/1502023569240432642
love this, excited much 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
not if your in Black & White apparently
KIMTOON(Quote)
Oooh Schar, needed to do better there
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well done Dubs
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well done Dubs
KIMTOON(Quote)
What a save
Shamrock(Quote)
6 mins !! wtf
KIMTOON(Quote)
Krafth off for Manquillo
KIMTOON(Quote)
man, stop with the corners
KIMTOON(Quote)
Willock great stuff, defending
KIMTOON(Quote)
My nerves
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good win 9 unbeaten , dreamland lads.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well didn’t think we would pull that off after seeing Joe and Max missing. Well done Team!??️??️??️?
Shamrock(Quote)
Refs getting wise to our tactics disrupting opposition rhythm by pretending to be injured. Case in point – Krafth rolling back onto the pitch to pretend to have foot cramp.
Shamrock(Quote)
Another fantastic result. Free hit now against Chelsea, then time to put Everton to the sword.
Other results went our way, but we can probably stop watching them now and aim for top half??? Is that being greedy?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Yeah confession time – I thought we’d get beat tonight, and when we went 1 down – and with our defending in the first half, I was sure of it.
2 great goals though – our 3 newbies have won it tonight … I’m sure Ralph will highlight that as well.
But it was another strong, backs to the wall second half there. Everyone putting every body part in the way & working their socks off – really outstanding effort from them all.
When you consider we are doing this without our 4 best players – it’s a truly amazing achievement really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That was hilarious ???. Ralph was ragging ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
? Any means necessary ?
Shamrock(Quote)