10 Key Stats Ahead Of Newcastle United Vs Southampton
Where will this game be won and lost?
The pre-season is over and Newcastle United begin their Barclays Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon against Southampton at St James' Park (1.30pm kick-off). Steve McClaren takes charge of his first competitive match as Magpies boss and he still has decision headaches ahead of the fixture. Does he start new signings Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba? And does he play his recently-confirmed club captain Fabricio Coloccini, despite the fact the centre-back failed to feature for a single minute of pre-season football? Ronald Koeman's Saints meanwhile arrive in the North East buoyed by the fact they have just qualified for the Europa League with a comfortable 5-0 aggregate victory over Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem - continuing the excellent form which saw them finish in seventh place last season. The Magpies on the other hand only narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season and, unlike Southampton, the Toon have seen a complete overhaul of their coaching staff this summer. But where will the game by won and lost this weekend? What sort of form are both sides in? And what is the likelihood of both teams finding the back of the net? Here WhatCulture.com/NUFC pinpoint 10 key stats ahead of Newcastle United vs Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday...