“It’s going to be a tough one” – Ian Wright and Roy Keane DISAGREE with Jamie Carragher’s score prediction for Newcastle vs Southampton in PL opener coming up
Newcastle United have a favourable start to the Premier League season, as they face newly promoted Southampton at St James’ Park.
It is an ideal fixture to kick off what is a very important season for Newcastle United, as they aim to qualify for Europe after missing out last season. The lack of European fixtures this time round will aid the Magpies, while it should hopefully ensure Eddie Howe‘s side suffers fewer injuries.
They are the key factors that could set the Magpies up for a bright season, and Jeff Stelling thinks Newcastle can finish fourth.
Getting back in the top four would make the 2024/25 season extremely positive, but Newcastle will need to get off to a bright start to do that.
Jamie Carragher predicts Newcastle to win against Southampton
Fortunately, Jamie Carragher thinks Newcastle United will do exactly that.
He has predicted Newcastle’s opening game of the season against Southampton on the Stick To Football podcast, and has backed Howe’s side to win 2-1 versus the Saints on Saturday afternoon.
“2-1,” he said.
“I think Southampton get a goal. They [Newcastle] haven’t quite got the centre-back over the line, Guehi.”
Roy Keane and Ian Wright disagree
While Carragher has backed Newcastle to start the season with a win, Roy Keane and Ian Wright do not think it will be that straightforward.
They have also appeared on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast, and went with an away win.
Keane: “I think Southampton surprise everyone.”
Wright: “It’s the perfect time to go to Newcastle, only because it’s the time of the season that you want this big game.”
Keane: “Southampton, 2-1.”
Newcastle’s opening day record is decent in recent years
Newcastle United’s opening day record is great under Eddie Howe.
The 2022/23 season kicked off with a 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest. That game is best remembered for Fabian Schar’s thunderbolt from distance.
Last season, the Magpies were even more impressive. They started the season at home to Aston Villa, who were being tipped to enjoy a very successful campaign under Unai Emery. But Newcastle blew them away, winning 5-1 at St James’ Park. Howe’s side were incredible, with Sandro Tonali announcing himself on Tyneside with a scintillating debut.
Howe is now set to begin his third full season as Newcastle United manager, and it starts at home yet again.
The fact that it is against newly promoted Southampton is interesting – it could go either way. Ian Wright makes a good point that this is a good time for the Saints to head to the North East.
But with St James’ Park rocking, Newcastle United will go into the game as favourites. Howe will want his side to impose themselves on their opponents, and start the season as they mean to go on.
Carragher thinks they might be able to do that, but Keane and Wright are not so sure.
