Newcastle United – Southampton

The opponents will not be able to score more than three goals

When it became known that Newcastle United were being acquired by world-renowned billionaires, the entire footballing public expected to see international stars at this club. However, the main acquisition of the hosts from Saudi Arabia during this period was the most wise management and adequate transfer policy. Unlike Chelsea, who at a frantic overpayment bought up for two transfer windows on the market all the players with the slightest prospects and puddled with them, the management of Newcastle appointed the talented, but absolutely not stellar Eddie Howe who last season immediately gave a decent result with the "material" available to him when he arrived. Before the current season, the Magpies have been spot-strengthened in a phenomenal way that has transformed a traditional midfielder of recent years into a solid representative of the Premier League's top 4. Bookmakers have identified the home side as the clear favourites, offering odds of 1.37 to win. Ahead of Sunday's encounter, Newcastle United are in third place in the league, with a decent lead over possible top-four rivals Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool. "The Magpies have conceded less than any other team in the league, and only Manchester City are competitive in that regard. Eddie Howe's side have produced a stunning finish to the season. In the last eight rounds, the Magpies have won seven times and lost away to the equally phenomenal Aston Villa. In the past two rounds, Newcastle have left Everton and Tottenham on target, scoring a combined total of ten goals. Southampton are deservedly bottom of the table ahead of the 34th round of the Championship. "The Saints have not won in the last eight rounds, drawing three against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United. In the same matches where Southampton could have claimed victory last season, they consistently lost. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brentford are among the clubs to have beaten the Saints in recent weeks. Southampton are likely to try to hold their own against the next favourites, but at most, will contain their attacking potential.