Southampton will welcome Newcastle United in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi final looking to record a positive result and put one foot in the final.
The hosts stunned perennial champions Manchester City 2-0 in the quarters to book their spot in the last four, while Newcastle beat Leicester by the same score line.
The Saints come into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the league whilst Newcastle played out to a barren draw against Crystal Palace.
Newcastle have only reached this stage of the competition once in their history and this came in the 1975-76 season.
The Magpies have failed to win any of their 3 away games in 2023 and will hope to turn things around as they clash in this semi first leg.
Southampton have conceded 35 goals in 20 matches this season – only Bournemouth have been more vulnerable.
They go up against a Newcastle side that has kept seven consecutive clean sheets in the English top flight and are keen to get their hands on a trophy.
Newcastle are also unbeaten in their last 16 matches in the Premier League – their longest such run in the top flight.
Who will bag all three points and put one foot in the final? Click here to make your predictions for this match.
What time does Southampton vs Newcastle start?
The game kicks off at 11pm Kenyan time at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton vs Newcastle team news
The availability of Theo Walcott is a boost for the home team and he is likely to start after recovering from injury.
Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo both started on the bench at the weekend but are likely to get a place in the starting XI after their goals in the quarters.
Che Adams leads the EFL Cup scoring charts with 4 goals and he will lead the attacking line from the start.
For the visitors, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Targett and Emil Krafth are all sidelined and will sit this one out.
Bruno Guimaraes seems to be fully fit and will also feature in the starting line-up alongside Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.
The attacking trio of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Callum Wilson will be preferred to provide an attacking threat.
Southampton vs Newcastle head to head
Newcastle have a slight edge over Southampton and have won 43 out of the 105 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Southampton’s 38 victories.
Southampton vs Newcastle current form
The hosts have lost twice in their recent run of five games, winning all the remaining three while Newcastle have won twice, drawn twice and lost just once in that run.
Southampton vs Newcastle prediction
With a place in the final at stake, Southampton are tipped to take full advantage of their home leg of the clash. Newcastle’s defense has been in top form and a draw could be the most likely outcome.