Southampton vs Newcastle live: What time is it, where can I watch it, what channel, team news, odds, prediction
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Newcastle make the long journey from the north east to the south coast on Sunday afternoon to face Southampton as both teams look to get a foothold in the middle of the table scramble.
Only two points separate the teams in the table but both will want to use this opportunity to distance themselves from any potential relegation scrap come the end of the season.
Follow all the live action below…
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 4.00pm BST on Sunday 15 October at St Mary’s.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be live on Sky Sports Premier League with coverage starting at 3.30pm highlights available on Match of the Day 2 on BBC1 at 10.30pm. Alternatively, you can follow the action on The Independent’s live blog above.
It’s a big game for…
Virgil van Dijk. The wantaway defender is slowly but surely getting up to speed after missing preseason sulking about a move to Liverpool not being completed. He has earned back his place in central defence now and his eye is now on reclaiming the captaincy. Southampton will need a big performance from him against Newcastle’s attack.
Player to watch…
Ayoze Perez. The playmaker is Newcastle’s best attacking spark and works well between the lines. His running can trouble defenders and with the pace of Christian Atsu and Joselu around him then he will be instrumental in breaking down the Southampton defence. Rafa Benitez is a huge fan of his and it’s easy to see why.
Form…
Southampton: LDLWLL
Newcastle: LWWWLD
Odds…
Southampton: 19/20
Newcastle: 4/1
Draw: 5/2
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Southampton vs Newcastle. Here is how the two teams will line up for today's 4pm kick-off:
Southampton boss Pellegrino speaks pre-match
On Gabbiadini's inclusion: "I think we need another body close to Shane because I think we are dominating and creating chances. We will try today and hopefully it will be a good day for us.
"My concern is trying to create chances, to try to penetrate them. I think if we manage possession and the tempo of the game, a goal is a consequence of the performance on the pitch."
On facing former boss Rafa Benitez: "Rafa is a person that I respect because he's helped me a lot in my life as a player and as a coach. Today is another fixture. Southampton against Newcastle. Hopefully it will be a nice game for everybody."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Newcastle boss Benitez speaks pre-match
On the state of mind of the squad after a training ground bust-up in the week: "The players know that every game is so important. Everybody is focused."
On facing Mauricio Pellegrino: "I know him really well. He's a good manager, he was a good player. I wish him all the best... after the game!"
Quotes from Sky Sports
Virgil van Dijk warms up prior to kick-off
Newcastle fans wait outside St. Mary's
The teams are out on the pitch ahead of kick-off in just a few minutes' time.
3' - Nathan Redmond gets on the end of a Shane Long knockdown on the left wing before delivering a delicious cross in towards the far post. Newcastle's Javier Manquillo defends it well though and heads the ball out for a throw-in.
9' - Ayoze Perez is picked out in bags of space down the right wing by Matt Ritchie but the Newcastle winger's low cross is poor and Virgil van Dijk turns the ball behind for a corner.
From the corner, the ball rebounds back to Christian Atsu, who shoots just wide of Fraser Forster's near post after a good first touch.
12' - Matt Ritchie attempts to find Christian Atsu with a long through pass but the ball is just too fast for the former Chelsea man and Fraser Forster collects it for a goal-kick.
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