Newcastle vs Southampton live commentary: Howe expects a “stronger” Toon as they start the season against the Saints – kick-off time, team news and coverage from talkSPORT

Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, exclusively live on talkSPORT 2.

Cartoon They struggled to cope with European football alongside domestic fixtures last season and that led to a lower result than they would have hoped for.

Injuries also played a major role in his problems, but now… Eddie Howe has some key men back and fewer games, meaning the focus will once again be on the top six.

Welcome to the newly promoted Saints to St James' Park for their first game since Russell Martin's side returned straight to the big leagues.

Martin's main focus will be to ensure safety, but they won't be afraid to play football their way as they look to compete with the best again.

Newcastle vs Southampton: a decade of waiting

Adam Lallana Could potentially make history on opening weekend.

He has returned to Southampton after a decade away from the club after leaving Brighton at the end of his contract this summer.

If he does feature in this game, it will be his first Premier League appearance for the Saints in 10 years and 98 days.

That gap between games for Lallana would be the fifth longest in the history of the top flight.

It means that just showing up in the game would be a great moment, but scoring in it would be even better.

That's because his last goal for Southampton came in March 2014. And guess who it was against? Newcastle!

So what a story it would be if Lallana could find his next one at St James' Park.

4

• Newcastle United have won seven of their last nine Premier League games against Southampton, including the last three in a row. The Magpies have never previously won four league games in a row against the Saints.
• Southampton have managed just one win in their last 18 Premier League visits to St James' Park to face Newcastle (L4 D13), winning 2-1 under Ronald Koeman in January 2015.

Newcastle vs Southampton: team news

Newcastle have some key players who are fully fit for their first game.

Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Joelinton All are fit to play after last season's injury-plagued campaigns, while Fabian Schar You should also be in shape.

Antonio Gordon has returned to training and is expected to start alongside Alexander Isak who has had a great preseason.

Unfortunately, however, Callum WilsonSven Botman and Jamal Lascelles All remain sidelined while Sando Tonali remains suspended until August 31.

As for Southampton, former Magpie Adam Armstrong will lead the attack with new signing Ben Brereton Diaz Looking to stake his claim for a starting spot on the wing.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes have signed permanently after loan spells last season and will play key roles in Martin's Premier League side.

4

• Newcastle have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games against promoted sides (W11 D8), with that defeat coming away to Luton Town last season (0-1).
• Southampton have managed just one win in their last 18 Premier League visits to St James' Park to face Newcastle (L4 D13), winning 2-1 under Ronald Koeman in January 2015.

Newcastle vs Southampton: What has been said?

Newcastle manager Howe hopes his side will be much stronger this season with the return of several players who were absent last season.

Speaking during pre-season, he said: “I think the most important thing is that the difference between the middle of the season and the end of the season so far is that we have players back and if we can keep them back we will be stronger.

“Obviously we still have Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, Jamal Lascelles… great players missing.

“That would make us stronger again, but with players like Sandro (Tonali) who we hope will return, (Joe) Willock today.

“They are very, very important players for us and they can make the difference.

“Obviously Harvey (Barnes) wasn’t there and I could go through the whole list of players who weren’t there last year, but they’ll make a big difference.”

4

• Alexander Isak has scored 13 Premier League goals so far in 2024, including 11 in his last 12 appearances. That's more than double the number of any other Newcastle player so far this calendar year (Bruno Guimarães is next on six).
• In last season's Championship (excl. play-offs), Russell Martin's Southampton side led the way in average possession (66.1%), passes/game (667) and passes ending in the final third/game (179), while also second in shots/game (15.5) and expected goals/game (1.76).

Newcastle vs Southampton: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, August 18.

Kick-off at St. James' Park is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

talkSPORT 2 will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Faye Carruthers.

Commentary will be provided by Ian Danter and former England defender Micky Gray.

To tune into talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through talkSPORT Appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.