Blogs

Merson predicts Newcastle v Southampton

|
Image for Merson predicts Newcastle v Southampton

Paul Merson has predicted a glut of goals when Newcastle United welcome Southampton to St James’ Park on Saturday evening. 

The Magpies essentially secured their Premier League safety with a 1-0 win over Leicester City last Friday night, and the Sky pundit expects them to cut loose when they host the Saints this weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Both teams are safe, and there should be goals. Nobody is under pressure, they are both safe. Why not go out and express yourselves?

“The problem is there is still plenty to play for in terms of money for the club – moving up three positions can bring in millions of pounds. Winning this game can really help for that push. The players though, will not feel that pressure.”

Merson predicts a 2-2 draw.

OPINION

The chances of Newcastle throwing the blueprint out of the window and going all attacking on Southampton seem pretty slim, even with safety all but assured. The Magpies are built on a foundation of conservatism and pragmatism, and you can’t see Rafael Benitez abandoning those principles just for the sake of it. To be fair to the Spaniard, he has managed to make the Toon Army a more swashbuckling prospect this season and, with the Three Amigos up top and the likes of Matt Ritchie piling forward when the opportunity arises, this is a Newcastle side slowly finding their rhythm on the front foot. That being said, they are still quite a way off being the sort of side who willing sacrifices their defensive solidity in the name of attacking pressure, and if there are goals in this one, you can bet that Rafa won’t be too pleased about it, given his proclivity for organisation.

Share this article