The corner is swung into Virgil van Dijk who heads it on to Graziano Pelle who in turn heads it towards goal but straight into the hands of Karl Darlow.

Van Dijk had tons of space in the area. Worrying signs for Newcastle fans.

It's a corner to Southampton. Ominous.

The Saints get us under way.

Your thoughts on this match at #bbcfootball , externalor text using 81111 (UK only).

And predictions please... a goal for Southampton inside 10 minutes?

Image source, Rex Features

It's a sunny day down at St Mary's, which might come as no surprise. The sizeable contingent of Newcastle fans seem to be in good spirits (you have to be really).

We are five minutes away.

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"The bizarre business of football was demonstrated this week by Newcastle's publication of healthy year-end financial results - wisely accompanied by a morose statement acknowledging that 'results on the pitch' are of greater concern.

"Yep, just a bit.

"At least after sit-downs with several of his players, Rafa Benitez insists 'they realised the situation and they want to fight'.

"In fairness, they have done in all three of his games in charge - without being good enough to win.

"Southampton weren't good enough at Leicester last week, even if angry manager Ronald Koeman blamed key decisions."

Just under 10 minutes before kick-off which means you may have time to take part in this week's Lawro's predictions - if you're quick. 

This week Lawrenson takes on Grand National jockey Leighton Aspell in his predictions. (We don't just randomly pick guests, you know.)

Can you out-predict the duo? Is out-predicting even a thing? Anyway try out our predictor game here. Incidentally, there is a league table of how successful your club's fans are at guessing.

Image source, #bbcfooball

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez on his side's plight:

"Everybody will say, 'Oh, Newcastle will be relegated', but that is normal when you see the table. At the same time, I can see the players changing in training.

"My concern would be if I saw the players giving up, and I don't. I can see a lot of players working so hard in training, so I still believe we can change the situation."

Saints manager Ronald Koeman on Newcastle's plight: "I am surprised in one way that they are down there because they have good players," he said.

"It's not the first year that they are struggling, but it's difficult for me to have strong opinions on other clubs looking in from the outside.

"It would be a big achievement for Newcastle to stay up now though, because they are six points behind Norwich."

Southampton make three changes with Cuco Martina, Dusan Tadic and Shane Long starting. Cedric Soares, Steven Davis and Matt Targett make way.

Image source, .

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic starts having scored twice after coming on as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat by Norwich last week.

Forward Ayoze Perez also comes into the side and will play just behind the Serb.

Image source, .

Both sides have made significant changes...

Image source, Rex Features

Will Saturday 9 April 2016 be remembered as the day when Newcastle started their march towards securing their Premier League status, and went on to 'do a Leicester' the following season...?

Probably not.

The Magpies are six points from safety with a game in hand on 17th place Norwich.

Today they are at Southampton where they don't have a good record, having only won twice in the league in 16 attempts.

A win for the Saints would see them knocking on the door of sixth - a good season for Ronald Koeman and his men.