Although both teams have only played three games in the 2021/2022 season, it appears that is the only similarity between Newcastle United and Southampton FC.

The Saints not only sold their best player in Danny Ings but bought a younger replacement in Adam Armstrong. Newcastle, however, have so far brought in the one player, that being midfielder Joe Willock for £25 million – and is one of the key storylines to watch out for on Saturday. 

For Southampton, the season hasn't started strong, but after a point against Manchester United and an 8-0 Carabao Cup win over Newport County has definitely but fire and momentum in the south-coast camp before the almighty 322 mile trip to the North-East. 

Newcastle has had an unusually slow start to the season with three consecutive defeats. Steve Bruce is no stranger to pressure as Newcastle manager, and if things go badly against Southampton, he could be looking at a toxic atmosphere. 

Team News

Newcastle United team news 

Isaac Hayden is a doubt for the Saints game after picking up a knee problem. Jonjo Shelvey's injury has no return date. Martin Dubravka is out with a foot problem. Paul Dummett and  Karl Darlow have returned to training, but this week is too early for them. 

Southampton FC team news 

Southampton signed centre-back Lyanco from Torino this week, but the Brazilian is not expected to feature. Midweek's hat-trick hero Mohamed Elyounoussi could return to the squad instead of Stuart Armstrong, who has a calf problem. William Smallbone and Sam McQueen are unavailable.

Previous Meetings

The south-coast side has won just twice in the last ten meetings between the Magpies and the Saints. Newcastle has won five of the meetings, while three matches have been stalemates.

The last time the two sides met was in February when Newcastle United beat Southampton 3-2 at St James' Park. The game saw the Magpies down to nine men and still hold on for the victory.

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Ones to watch

For Newcastle, a lot of eyes will be on Joe Willock as the 21-year-old will make his Premier League home debut in front of the St James' Park faithful. Willock played in front of 30,000 fans on Wednesday in Newcastle's Carabao Cup exit to Burnley FC, but it will be incomparable to what Willock will experience tomorrow. Another underrated one to watch from a Newcastle angle is Sean Longstaff. Longstaff will most likely sit in the heart of midfield because of the injury to both Shelvey and Hayden. The academy graduate will have to play a different role than usual, and will hopefully adapt quickly to it.

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For Southampton, a player known well by Newcastle United fans, Adam Armstrong comes back to St James' Park for the first time since he was sold to Blackburn Rovers back in 2018. The hometown lad scoring on Saturday is written in the stars, and Armstrong has settled in quickly to the Saints side scoring on his debut for the club and missing a match-winner against Manchester United last weekend. 

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Predicted XI 

Newcastle United Predicted XI (3-5-2): Woodman; Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez; Murphy, Willock, S. Longstaff, Almiron, Ritchie; Saint-Maximin, Wilson.

Southampton Predicted XI (4-4-2): McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong.

Where to watch? 

The only way to watch the game in the UK is to be in attendance at St James' Park.

Highlights will be available on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle, however.

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