The Magpies travel to St Mary’s this weekend hoping to improve upon an otherwise indifferent start to the season after recording a 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace on 30 August, a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, and an opening day 2-0 defeat against Manchester City, last season’s champions. Goals haven’t been in short supply for the Magpies, however their opposite number have not been struggling to score either. Currently resting in eighth, Southampton FC put three goals past West Ham last week with the London side responding only once. Newcastle managed the same feat against Crystal Palace however the Eagles managed to respond three times to level the scoring before full-time.

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Going on recent results alone, this game promises to be a goal-fest, with Newcastle United happily welcoming whizzkid Rolando Aarons into the first team while Cheick Tiote returns from international duty fully fit and available to the journey to St Mary’s. Aarons has proven to be a revelation since debuting on opening day, scoring against the Eagles 10 days ago while also being picked for the England under 20 is last Friday.

Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew will likely struggle to hold on to the talented youngster next season with such elite teams as Manchester City and Liverpool FC both reportedly interested in the 18-year-old whose favoured position is out on the wing.

Pardew is facing mounting pressure from fans and board alike following a less than desirable start to the season, recording no wins so far after baffling supporters by loaning out Hatem Ben Arfa to Premier League rivals Hull City.
He will likely throw caution to the wind and play an attacking formation in order to try and take a decent result into the next game which coincidentally is against Hull. Following calls for the 53-year-old’s resignation, his opposite number, Ronald Koeman has had quite the opposite beginning to life at St Mary’s, even though they began this season with a loss at Anfield against Liverpool and a draw at home to West Brom.

The 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park did much to repair an indifferent start and give Saints ‘ fans something to talk about. The first result of the season against Liverpool didn’t tell the whole story however, with Southampton battling hard for much of the game to keep a 1-1 scoreline and claim a point. In the end, however Liverpool’s class proved to be just too much, but on a positive note Southampton’s new signings looked extremely comfortable in possession, a fact which may be cause for alarm for the Toon.

Koeman however knows better than to write off the wily Alan Pardew who these days, never seems to be far from the public eye. This game will be a feisty affair, with Pardew searching for a first win of the season, while Koeman will be looking to try and build on the pre-international breaks success against West Ham.

TIP: Southampton 2-1 Newcastle