Sunday 24th February, kick off 1.30pm. Saints return to action after a 2 week break, having not played last weekend due to the FA Cup. Newcastle did not play either last weekend but did play on Thursday against Metalist and the return leg is tomorrow. It can't be a bad thing for Saints that Newcastle are not only playing on Thursday, they are playing away from home. Match officials: Referee - Chris Foy Assisstants - S. Beck and H. Lennard 4th official - Mark Halsey Team news Saints have an almost fully fit squad to choose from, barring any injuries in training. Guly is the only injured player in the senior squad that I am aware of. The team sheet will be very interesting. Pochettino has various decisions to make - will Lallana start? Does Ramirez come back in? Will Forren make his debut? Will Fonte return from injury? As for Newcastle their injury list is much shorter than when the teams last met - although there is no Ba anymore. I have heard that Ben Arfa is still out but not 100% sure on that. However Saints still have to contend with new signings Sissoko, Gouffran and Debuchy. Last meeting Saints completely outplayed Newcastle at St Marys earlier in the season, with goals from Lallana and Ramirez sealing a 2-0 win. It could easily have been 5 or 6, Saints hit the woodwork several times as they easily dispatched an injury ravaged Newcastle side. I highly doubt it will be as one sided this time around! Form guide Saints (last 6 games): WDDLDW Wins against Villa and a fantastic win over the champions last time out. The one defeat came at Old Trafford with a fantastic point at Chelsea and a disappointing one (in the circumstances) at Wigan. Newcastle (last 6 games in PL): LDLWWL Newcastle have been rather inconsistent of late. A defeat at home to Reading was followed by wins at Villa and at home to Chelsea. The form guide for both teams suggests it will be a close match. My prediction A 2-1 win for the Saints, with Rickie getting his 100th goal for the club. Lallana to grab the winner.
If we play the same way as we have recently, we have a good chance of a win, though a draw wouldn't be a disaster. Presumably other teams will have noticed our change in style and be working on systems to catch us out...as City did with their goal. However, we were getting points before MP came, so we are a hard team to beat anyway. I think we could win 3.1...especially if we hit them hard before they settle, as presumably they will be less fresh than us. Hope we hit the ground running and not suffer from loss of match fitness.
Newcastle fans seem to think this will be a routine win for them but I am not so sure. We are now a well drilled team who are hard to beat and I think they are underestimating us a little. Am hoping for a win and would be disappointed with a loss.
NEWCASTLE SQUAD TO FACE METALIST KHARKIV: GOALKEEPERS: Krul, Elliot DEFENDERS: Simpson, Perch, Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara. MIDFIELDERS: Obertan, Tiote, Anita, Sissoko, Cabaye, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Gutierrez. ATTACKERS: Cisse, Ameobi.
Shows they haven't been watching us lately, but tbf I don't pay that much attention to the opposition either (until they play us). They could beat us, but I expect Pardew is more wary of us than the fans are.
How close is that to their first choice team? Doesn't seem to be quite full strength to me, but then I don't know enough about their squad to be sure.
Well, Ben Arfa isn't in there. But I think that's a pretty strong squad for them. No Santon. No Debuchy (cup-tied).
Ok Cheers. I guess it's as strong a squad as they can put out then. Hopefully Metalist give them a tough game.
Dust! A volcano doesn't issue dust! Maybe if it has asthma but a healthy volcano normally issues ash!
I forgive you I have revealed my main personality flaw...I care so much about being right I checked it!
Same team as City except Shaw in, Fox out. Fonte, Gaston and Lallana on the bench I would have thought, which gives us good attacking options. I think it'll be 1-1 but it would be great if we could nick a 1-2. Our defence will have to be on top form though, Newcastle are a much better side now than we saw at St. Mary's. I think it'll be a great game!
