Southampton vs Newcastle: Match Preview

After a week off the Premier League returns, players have returned from international duty and the next round of domestic games begin. To start the next round of fixtures Newcastle make the long trip to Southampton, a place where luck hasn't been on their side recently. The last two games that took place at St Marys have ended in defeat for United, and last season they were trounced 4-0 by then manager Maurico Pochettino's side. But since then it has been all change for Southampton, with the summer bringing them a new manager and a revolving door transfer policy.

Since the last meeting between the two sides former Saints captain Adam Lallana has jumped ship to Liverpool, along with fellow England international Rickie Lambert. Central defender Dejan Lovren completed the trifecta of Saints players to head to Anfield. Also lost to other clubs were young right back/center defender/central midfielder Calum Chambers who headed to Arsenal. Whereas fellow defender Luke Shaw completed a record move to Manchester United. However Southampton bought well and replaced when they needed to and this has allowed them to make a decent start to the season, and they sit 8th after three rounds of games. Former Newcastle target Toby Alderweireld is expected to make his debut, and Hexam-born Fraiser Forster plays against the team he grew up playing for.

Meanwhile for Newcastle injuries have hit the squad fairly hard just three games in. Summer signing Siem De Jong will sit out the next few months and will undergo surgery next week, ruling him out until around the new year. Teenage sensation Rolando Aarons is also nursing a hamstring injury, and is ruled out of Saturday's clash. The lesser spotted Argentine Facundo Ferreyra is also out of the match day squad through injury. On the upside Jack Colback has recovered from a calf-injury that forced him out of England's European Championship qualifying match vs Switzerland. Cheick Tiote could also be in line to make his first appearance of the 14/15 season after recovering 'from an injury', although speculation will tell you Newcastle tried to offload the tough-tackling midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Newcastle make the long trip with just three central defenders after they sent Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to Roma on the last day of the transfer window, meaning one injury in that department could spell disaster. Southampton are expected to be close enough to full strength whereas Newcastle will have what looks to be a very week squad. It is speculated that this could be one of two games Alan Pardew has to save his Newcastle job, so don't be surprised to see magpie fans hoping for defeat.

Prediction: Southampton 4 - 0 Newcastle United.