Newcastle rarely fail to deliver at their beloved St James’ Park, where they lost only two of their 19 outings in 2022-23 and then won 12 of their 19 assignments last season.
Newly-promoted Southampton are their first visitors on the opening weekend of the new season and the Magpies should make the most of their familiar surroundings.
Newcastle, with no European football to contend with unlike last season, will be looking to stamp their presence on the Champions League qualification places whereas survival will be the priority for Southampton
Eddie Howe’s side lost only three of their 19 home league matches last season and those defeats came against Liverpool, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, highlighting the task Southampton are faced with.
Therefore, Newcastle are understandably a short price but they were far from disciplined defensively and, while that was not helped by a reoccurring injury situation, that offers hope for Southampton getting on the scoresheet.
The Magpies conceded 22 goals in 19 home league matches, keeping only two clean sheets in their final ten outings at St James’ Park, while both teams scored in each of their final five top-flight fixtures.
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Luton, Sheffield United, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were among those to score on Tyneside and the Saints, still riding the crest of a wave after last season’s promotion, should be confident that they can do the same.
While Saints have every chance of getting on the scoresheet, it is hard to see them avoiding defeat, especially given they won only two of their final seven away matches in the Championship last season.
Southampton finished fourth in the Championship last season but, while they scored 87 goals in 46 games, they conceded 63 which was the third-worst defence in the top half.
