Newcastle vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tips (17 August)

Newcastle will not play any European competition this season following their 7th place in the league last season. However, it was a logical objective since they were competing in the C1 this season, with the reminder of elimination from the group stages in the group of death. However, the end of the season was very decent with only two defeats against United 3-2 and Palace 2-0, but significant successes against Tottenham 4-0, West Ham 4-3 and Brentford 4-2 among other 6 victories, 2 draws, 2 defeats over the last 10 days. As preparation, the Magpies started with two wins against Hull City 0-2 and Urawa Reds 1-4. Subsequently, they will face Yokohama, Girona and Brest.

Southampton complicated their task last season in the Championship, with 3 defeats over the last 4 days which did not allow them to progress directly, going through the play-offs. Winners of West Brom in the return 3-1 after a 0-0 away draw, it was against Leeds that the Saints made the difference in the final for the climb, with the smallest of scores 1-0. There is therefore work to be done for this team accustomed to the Premier League, which won its 3 friendly matches against Eastleigh 1-7, Bordeaux 2-3 and Montpellier 3-1 before losing against Oxford 2-0. The promoted will still face Milwall, Lazio and Getafe. 

Newcastle have strengthened defensively, with the free arrival of Lloyd Kelly (ex-Bournemouth) but especially Lewis Hall permanently bought from Chelsea after a loan and the goalkeeper Vlachodimos from Nottingham. On the other hand, the two young people Anderson and Minteh left the ship for a nice sum, to join Nottingham and Brighton respectively. But the key players are still there, notably at the back with Schar, Trippier, Botman and captain Lascelles, even if the latter two are injured, Guimaraes in the middle orphan of Tonali still suspended, and in front of good people like Gordon ( 11 goals, 10 assists last season in the PL), and the crack Isak (21 goals) still valuable. For a promoted player, the Southampton squad seems quite decent. We have already noted the loan returns of very interesting players like Carlos Alcaraz, Paul Onuachu and Bella-Kotchap.

The arrivals should also do good, such as that of the young City defender, Harwood-Bellis, and the two Championship youngsters Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards. Full-backs Sugawara (PSV) and Taylor (Burnley) complete the defense, and the experienced Lallana arrives from Brighton. Also note the recruitments of Brereton Diaz (Villarreal) and Sugarawa (AZ Alkmaar). These players mentioned come in addition to the executives already in place, in particular Bednarek and captain Stephens in defense, the midfielders Charles and Aribo, or the fine attack composed of Sulemana (ex-Rennes), Ross Stewart, the Frenchman Mara and Adam Armstrong (24 goals, 13 assists in the Championship last season).