This is the team we think Steve Bruce will select for tomorrow’s match at Southampton. It has five changes from the win over West Brom on Tuesday but just one from our last Premier League match against Burnley.
Bruce will likely keep with the same formation he used over the past two games. However, we see him going back to a few players who played last weekend.
The back four could see Manquillo, Lascelles, and Rose keep their place with Federico Fernandez replacing Fabian Schar at center-back. Of course, Martin Dubravka comes back in to make his 79th straight league start.
The midfield duo of Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden returns after starting together against Burnley but missing out to Sean Longstaff and Nabil Bentaleb in the FA Cup.
Allan Saint-Maximin continues on the right wing. Bruce declared him fit this morning during his press conference and we can’t see him not starting tomorrow.
The left wing gets a bit tricky for Bruce with both Matt Ritchie and Valentino Lazaro fit and available. We would prefer Lazaro get a second start in his preferred position but have a feeling Bruce will go with the 30-year-old Ritchie.
Before the West Brom match, it seemed like Dwight Gayle was due for a run in the team as the number nine. However, Joelinton played so well against West Brom on Tuesday that Bruce could go with the Brazilian once again.
Joelinton’s performance at the Hawthorns afforded Almiron, Saint-Maximin, and Lazaro so much space. Bruce will have been buoyed by his performance and may give him another shot upfront.
The head coach seems reluctant to rest the Brazilian, so we think it’ll be him and Almiron partnering upfront once again at St Mary’s.
With just Andy Carroll and Ciaran Clark not available for selection, the battle for places has significantly increased. Hopefully, that will bring out the best in this squad over the next few pivotal weeks.
How Will Newcastle Fare Against Southampton On Saturday?
- Win (45%, 703 )
- Loss (29%, 458 )
- Draw (26%, 405 )
Total Voters: 1,566
123 comments so far
Jib
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:47 PM
Comment #121All 7 bottom teams play away this weekend
We have arguably the easiest fixture
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:48 PM
Comment #122EGB,
Is there not a reason he’s never started a game though. The same as Saivet, never got a chance under Mclaren, Rafa shipped him out straight away, played good against West Ham then was never seen again. You don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. I was talking to a mackem mate last Saturday, when I listen to Total Sport they were all kicking of about their manager, now he’s doing well. My mate reckons he footed that Aidy Mceady in to the reserves for being a tw@t, when results weren’t going well he got slaughtered for it. Now it’s paid off, apparently he’s a compete ar$ehole in the dressing room and things have improved since he’s gone.
cyprus
Mar 7, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #123Odds: Southampton win, 1.75. Newcastle win, 5.10.
Who we playing? Barcelona?
So, a fiver on the lads, for 25+.