Southampton

Southampton's fight is not about whether they can stay up, it is whether they can avoid being the worst Premier League team of all time and beat Derby County's total of 11 points from 2007-08.

Ipswich are still battling to avoid relegation, but I am worried about them in this game.

I am not sure whether to go with my heart or my head - well, when I say my heart I am actually thinking of my daughter's teacher, Mr Fields, who is an Ipswich fan.

If they lose this, it would be very damaging for their hopes of surviving. I'd go so far as saying I'd be buying a white flag of surrender for Mr Fields to wave whenever he sees me when I drop my daughter off at school.

These two sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season, when a 95th-minute Sam Morsy goal denied Saints the win.

I don't think Ipswich will keep a clean sheet this time, either, but I am backing Liam Delap to come good, and help them pick up what would be a huge three points.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town and Southampton have both conceded 14 Premier League goals in 2025, the joint most of any side. The Saints have also faced the most shots on target (34) and have conceded the most expected goals (12.9).

Only Southampton (four) have picked up fewer home Premier League points than Ipswich (seven) this season, with the Tractor Boys picking up just one win.

Ipswich have also only scored eight goals at Portman Road, accumulating the lowest xG on home soil of any side this season (10.9).

On the latest episode of the Saints and Sinners podcast, Adam Blackmore assesses Ivan Juric's tenure so far as Southampton boss:

"I think he has come into a very difficult situation. Because of the precise way they were trying to play, Juric is having to undo a lot of stuff to get towards where he wants to be.

"It's not like they were halfway towards how he wants to play the game. He's had to re-educate the players in the way he wants to do things. I think that takes a long time.

"He's not had a lot of time on the training ground. Although they still have lost every game in January, they were better at Old Trafford and they were better in the second half at Forest. They need to be better for longer periods. Part of that is the quality of the players and the squad he's got.

"I think it's early enough to judge him on what he's doing and how he's setting the team up. If you're doing that, he's done OK in the way they have played."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Ipswich (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On previously injured duo Tyler Dibling and Kamaldeen Sulemana: "Kamaldeen and Dibling had training with us today, and they will be with us. Dibling has recovered already - he did all the training today and he's ready."

• On Jack Stephens' return to training: "I'm very happy Stephens is with us, They did a great job with his recovery. He's done two training sessions with us without any problems, and sometimes that doesn't happen. He's a quality and competitive player. I like him a lot."

• On who will miss out on Saturday through injury: "We have problems with Ryan Fraser and Nathan Wood, not big ones, but they will be out for this game."

• On the quality of new signing Wellington's quality: "He's very technical and intelligent. Sometimes I like to push him to attack a little bit more, but I think he can become a really good player for us."

• On whether Wellington will feature against Ipswich: "Now I know him better. He's been training very, very well and I will give him a chance against Ipswich, either at the beginning or during the match."

• On potential transfers before the end of the window: "No activity. Everything quiet."

• On the spirit of his players: "The players are improving even if it's tough to see. We are getting better but we are losing the games. I see that we are improving and this week was very positive. I really hope that we can win one game, and then we get more confidence for the next game."

• On Ipswich Town: "They're a very good team. They have talented players, I've seen lots of games and they play well."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Leeds are targeting a move for Southampton striker Cameron Archer with early talks having taken place.

It is unclear whether a deal can be achieved but the 23-year-old is open to a move before deadline day.

Other options are believed to be on the table as Archer seeks a guaranteed starting role after increasingly finding himself on the bench under recently appointed Saints manager Ivan Juric.

German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Southampton's 18-year-old English winger Tyler Dibling. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Udinese are interested in signing Southampton and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, 22, on loan. (Irish Independent - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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Southampton gave up another lead for the third time in five Premier League games.

The 3-1 defeat by Newcastle at St Mary's made it six straight home losses in the league for the first time in club history. Ivan Juric extends his record to six defeats from six which makes a grand total of 19 losses from 23. Congratulations, Derby County. Your unwanted record is about to be erased.

I had hopes that the increased likelihood of relegation would release the shackles and we would adopt a carefree approach. Remember that eight-goal thriller against Liverpool in 2023 long after our fate was sealed?

After 10 minutes on Saturday, Saints took a shock lead through Jan Bednarek. The Pole made it two goals from two and embarrassingly, now becomes our joint top scorer in the league with two.

Alexander Isak flipped the script - or rather, VAR did. An overturned penalty decision allowed Isak his first but, in truth, we were never likely to hold on to a slender early lead.

Once again, we saw our confidence drained and were left to be ripped apart by Newcastle's precision passing through the middle. Their third goal from Sandro Tonali epitomises just how easy we are to be exploited. Even with five at the back at home. Open to attack, and not enough going forward.

This squad is far away from an all-round, 90-minute performance. We are not equipped to deal with adversity and do not have the ability to overturn misfortune.

Questions have been asked over our fitness. It will continue to be difficult to watch as we prepare for a more strenuous February, and without the likes of Tyler Dibling to get bums off seats, we are continuing to be a tedious spectacle.

The ship is sinking fast and the players are ready to flee.

On the bright side, at least we do not have to contend with VAR next season.

Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external

Tottenham have held talks over moves for Southampton and England Under-21 forward Tyler Dibling, 18 and Lille's England international midfielder Angel Gomes, 24. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Saints fans

Ben: One of those matches where we get reminded that other teams are just better than us in every way. Nobody had an absolute howler, but Newcastle were still able to nullify us without leaving third gear. I'm looking forward to no VAR next season. The way it is implemented is disgusting.

Darryl: I think most of us have given up with this season. I can't believe how poor we have been. In all honesty, we got promoted probably a season too early. It's not fun loosing every week!

Daz: Absolute rubbish yet again! Sack the lot and bring in the under-21s. I guarantee they would do better. Why do the Saints' board bring in a manager that was sacked from his last job due to bad performance when what we needed was a proven manager with Premier League experience? We could have had Graham Potter or David Moyes. We have bought players with little or no Premier League experience and I think everyone from the board downwards needs a clearout. It's an embarrassing time to be a Saints supporter.

David: We have only four players that are the standard to play in the Premier League when most teams have a bench full. This, I'm afraid, is our problem - we've needed a striker for three years. We are relegation favourites and at times our play is pitiful.

Newcastle fans

Anth: Getting back on the 'winning horse' was vital to ensure our Champions League ambitions are still alive and kicking. To overcome a shaky start and push on to a solid performance gets our mojo firing once more especially with important games appearing on the horizon. Well played boys - onwards and upwards!

Si: Great comeback performance following last week's humbling at the hands of Bournemouth. This showed the resilience in the team and Eddie Howe's trust they could come back and perform following a crushing defeat. We seemed to take the foot off the throttle at 3-1 which maybe showed naivety, playing the bottom side. Overall a professional performance that keeps alive our hopes of a top-four place.

Tommy: After the last game, I expected that kind of response. It wasn't our best performance but clearly it was extremely pleasant to see. Sandro Tonali is awesome and Alexander Isak unstoppable. Onwards and upwards for the Toon Army.

Kevin: Newcastle won the game without getting out of third gear. Didn't panic at 1-0 down early on. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar give better balance in defence. Clinical and professional performance.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Southampton player Jo Tessem, speaking on the Goin' home with Adam and Jo podcast after Saturday's defeat to Newcastle:

"We lost to a better team. They were organised, they were quicker, they were stronger.

"But, I'd rather lose in this way where the players are trying hard. I think it is more acceptable.

"You have to go on the pitch and try your best and I think if you try your best and fight and try to get a goal or keep in it even if you're 3-1 down then a lot of fans will accept that.

"I don't want to see any players give up and the players have not. It could have been a very interesting finish if that goal from Matheus Fernandes had stood."

Are things better under Ivan Juric than they were under Russell Martin? "The team has been put in a system and Juric has put players in the system where he can get the best out of them. He's given them very specific job rules and although we are having similar possession numbers we are also going forward and creating more chances.

"He has put clear lines in what he wants and expects from the players and if they don't do the job he's taking them off. He does not give praise if they're not deserving it. He tells them exactly what they're not doing. He's inherited a really bad squad for the Premier League but he is getting the best he can get out of them at the moment."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Southampton will listen to offers for Kyle Walker-Peters after Galatasaray made an approach for the 27-year-old English defender, who is out of contract in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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A new episode of Goin' Home With Adam And Jo is now available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessem dissect a record breaking sixth consecutive home defeat for Southampton.

The panel also discuss if Saints should sell goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the January transfer window, why life is better under Ivan Juric despite no points from six games, and Jan Bednarek's bid to be top scorer this season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures are now available to watch.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

• Man City 3-1 Chelsea

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Southampton manager Ivan Juric: "I think today my guys gave everything they have. They are fighting well, playing well, creating chances. Of course Newcastle is the better team. I don't have many negative things to say to my guys."

On responding to defeats: "It's not easy of course but they have to work hard. We have splendid fans and we have to do our best and prepare well for the next game.

On Newcastle's penalty award: "Watching it now it was not a penalty. For me it can never be a penalty. For me it's a foul for us because he (Joe Aribo) is in front for the ball."

On hopes for the rest of the season: "Of course the situation is really bad but I want to fight and create something. I saw some good moments today. We have to understand really well which players are for the Premier League."

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton's Jan Bednarek scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time, having gone 44 appearances in the competition without a goal.

Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In Newcastle's 3-1 win at Southampton, one thing separated the two teams: a ruthless edge in front of goal.

The Magpies started the game slowly and the Saints made them pay, taking the lead after just 10 minutes through centre-back Jan Bednarek.

The fact I have mentioned his position is worth noting because Southampton's attackers, save for Matheus Fernandes, who took his late finish well before it got ruled out for offside, lacked an edge in front of goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle's Alexander Isak netted his 16th and 17th Premier League goals of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Swedish striker won a penalty soon after Newcastle went behind, and this goal acted as a catalyst for his team.

Isak curled beyond Alex McCarthy just four minutes later and, after half-time, Sandro Tonali finished with similar confidence.

Newcastle's win means they have won six away from home in the Premier League this term, the same amount they managed in the entirety of 2023-24.

For Southampton, the loss against the Magpies was the first time in their league history that they have been beaten in six consecutive home matches.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Southampton's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action.

• Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

• Brighton v Everton

• Liverpool v Ipswich

• Southampton v Newcastle

• Wolves v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All the talk before Newcastle played Bournemouth was whether Eddie Howe's side could push Liverpool in the title race, but that talk has stopped since they lost 4-1.

They are still right in the mix for a top-four finish, but it is important for them to quickly get back to winning ways - and this seems like a good game for them to do that.

Southampton have made a decent fist of it in their past two games, against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, but they still ended up losing both of them.

Let's face it, they are as good as down. Their situation is so bad that, when we spoke about the relegation battle on this week's Monday Night Club, we didn't even mention them - the assumption is that they are already gone.

Their main aim now is to avoid going down with the lowest points tally in Premier League history.

They have got 16 games left to pick up the six points that would see them beat Derby County's tally of 11 points from 2007-08.

It is a big incentive because Robbie Savage, who was Derby's captain that season, has had to live with that record for years.

I'd really like him to keep hold of it, so let's all pray for Southampton to reach the 12-point mark. I don't see them picking anything up here though.

Sutton's prediction: Southampton 0-2 Newcastle

Read all of his predictions and have your say here

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Norwegian football journalist Jonas Giever says new Southampton signing Albert Gronbaek is "quite the offensive number eight".

Gronbaek has moved to St Mary's on loan until the end of the season from Rennes after joining the Ligue 1 club from Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt last summer in a 12m euros deal (£10m).

"If he carries the form he had in Norwegian football, Southampton fans have a lot to look forward to," Giever told BBC Radio Solent. "He is quite the offensive number eight.

"He played in a 4-3-3, sometimes 4-2-3-1 system where he was drifting between the eight and the number 10 at Bodo/Glimt.

"He is primarily a midfielder you look to for offensive contributions but given the fact Bodo/Glimt play with such a high offensive line and press a lot from the front, he was often times one of the players who would be pressing and trying to regain the ball as high up the pitch as possible.

"He is an energetic player although perhaps not the most powerful player. He has a very slim frame and it was pointed out on occasions he lacked a little bit of physicality.

"But, he has tremendous power in his right leg and can hammer them in from distance. He also pops up in the box and got a good chunk of goals and assists considering he was a facilitator in that team.

"It eventually became quite clear that he was a lot better than the league and he moved on for a lot of money."

Listen to the full lowdown on Albert Gronbaek on BBC Sounds

This Premier League pursuit becomes a lot easier if you take your chances.

BBC Sport has checked in on some data comparing goals versus expected goals this season.

You can see from the bar graph some teams aren't finding the goals (yellow) to outstrip the expected goals they should score (black).

Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Leicester have all scored more than expected.

Wolves in particular have found the net 32 times from an expected 23.56 - a significant overperformance.

League leaders Liverpool are pretty much bang on in returning what they should, while Arsenal have outperformed, with 43 goals from an expected 37.78.

Bournemouth - 36 goals from an expected 43 - are leaving opportunities on the table.