Newcastle United and Southampton kick off their respective Premier League campaigns when the pair meet at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
After gatecrashing the top four and securing Champions League football during the 2022-23 season, the Magpies missed out on a European place last term as they finished seventh.
However, a kinder schedule this season without the demands of continental football could benefit Eddie Howe and his side in their bid to get themselves back to Europe’s top table.
St James’ Park has been somewhat of a fortress for the Toon Army under Howe’s tutorship so they will be targeting three points when Southampton come to town.
After seeing their 11-year stay in the top division of English football come to an end two seasons ago, the Saints bounced back to the top-flight at the first time of asking, edging out Leeds 1-0 in the English Championship play-off final.
Survival will be the primary aim for Russell Martin's men and they face a tall order to get off the mark when they travel to Tyneside on the opening weekend of the campaign.
How the bookies view it: Magpies to make flying start
Newcastle United are short priced 1/3 favourites on Bet 365 to claim maximum points from their opening Premier League contest of the season.
Southampton make the long trek north as 15/2 (Bet 365) outsiders while a share of the St James’ Park spoils pays 9/2 (William Hill).
Head to head: Toon targeting six on the trot
Newcastle have triumphed in each of their last five meetings with Southampton. Three of those victories were in the Premier League, while the other two wins came in both legs of the 2023 Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Southampton’s last success against Newcastle was back in November 2022, with Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong getting on the scoresheet, two players that departed the club over the summer.
Players to watch: Isak itching for more goals
Only Erling Haaland (27) and Cole Palmer (22) scored more goals in the Premier League than Alexander Isak (21) last season. The Swedish sharpshooter is 4/5 (Bet 365) to open up his account for the season on Saturday afternoon.
After playing a pivotal role in Southampton’s promotion campaign last season, Flynn Downes was signed on a permanent basis from West Ham over the summer. The tough-tackling midfielder is as short as 13/8 (Bet 365) to pick up a card at St James’ Park.
Predicted line-ups
Newcastle go into the new Premier League season without long-term injury casualties Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman.
After impressing on loan at Sheffield United last season, Ben Brereton Diaz could be handed his Southampton debut at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle: Pope; Livramento; Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Southampton: McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo; Brereton Diaz, Armstrong
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how prolific Southampton were on the corner front last season, backing the visitors to hit at least four on Saturday looks worth taking on at 4/5 with Bet 365.
The Saints averaged a league-high 7.41 flag-kicks per 90 minutes on route to promotion last season.
With Saints boss Russel Martin unlikely to sacrifice his forward-thinking principles in the top-flight this season, a minimum of four corners should be within range for the men from St Mary’s.
This English Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton will be played on Aug 17, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Southampton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
