Newcastle v Southampton Barclays Premier League Preview Feb 24, 2013
Team News:
Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is a doubt to face Southampton after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday's Europa League win at Metalist Kharkiv.
Midfielder Cheick Tiote could return after missing that game through illness, while Davide Santon is back in training after an ankle problem.
Southampton duo Gaston Ramirez and Luke Shaw return after missing the win against Manchester City through injury.
Guly do Prado is doubtful, while Jose Fonte remains out with a knee problem.
Head-to-head
Southampton won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last year. That was the first league encounter between these clubs since January 2005 and a first win for the Saints over Newcastle in any competition since 2002.
This is the 87th meeting of the two sides, with the Magpies just edging out Southampton by 35 victories to 33.
The two sides go into this game level on 27 points.
Newcastle
Newcastle's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham last time out ended a run of back-to-back victories, against Chelsea and Aston Villa.
This time last season the Magpies' home record was the fifth best in the league with just two defeats in 12; however this term they lie 13th best overall (lost six of 13).
The Magpies have yet to win a league match having conceded first this season (D2, L9).
Six of Newcastle's seven league wins this season have come on home soil, while they have scored an identical number of goals (17) in both their home and away Premier League matches.
Papiss Cisse has scored five goals in 23 league starts this season, compared to 13 league goals in as many starts last term.
James Perch could make his 250th league appearance on Sunday.
Southampton
Southampton's 3-1 win against reigning champions Manchester City last time out was their second league win in nine games, of which six were draws.
Saints have lost just once on the road in their last five games and have taken 19 of their 27 points this season against bottom-half opposition.
Only Wigan and QPR have a worse first-half record in the Premier League than Southampton, who have trailed at the interval more than any other team (12).
Leading scorer Rickie Lambert will be looking for his 100th Southampton goal against Newcastle having scored in five of Saints' last six away league games.
Richard Chaplow could make his 250th league appearance.
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Match: Newcastle v Southampton
Date: Sunday,24 February
Kickoff: 13:30 GMT
Venue: St James' Park
Live/Repeat: Live
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