The key things to watch out for as Southampton host Newcastle in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pellegrino, manager of Southampton, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Manchester United.
The international break is over and Premier League football returns, with Southampton taking on Newcastle United on Sunday (October 15).
With the two sides built on a solid defence and perhaps lacking a little going forward this clash at St Mary’s has perhaps got 0-0 written all over it, but here are three key battles to watch out for.
Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Premier League match against Watford.
Central midfield clash
The two teams operate with similar systems in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 and it is in the middle where perhaps the most intriguing match-up is taking place.
Mario Lemina has been impressive since his summer switch from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund loanee Mikel Merino will be tasked with suppressing the box-to-box midfielder, while Oriol Romeu will want to stop Jonjo Shelvey having time on the ball and spraying the ball around the pitch.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (L) vies with Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie.
Matt Ritchie v Ryan Bertrand
With four assists already this season it is easy to see where the Magpies’ supply of goals is coming from and Bertrand will need to keep a close eye on Ritchie to try and stop that happening again at St Mary’s.
Despite being left-footed the Scotland international operates on the right flank, cutting inside before whipping it into the box and the left-back may need support from his centre-backs to stop that.
Mauricio Pellegrino v Rafa Benitez
This is something of the student taking on the master, with Pellegrino having worked as a coach under Benitez at both Liverpool and Inter Milan before making the step up to management himself.
The Argentine’s tactics have been questioned since taking charge of the Saints, though, which is in great contrast to his Spanish counterpart at Newcastle who has been greatly praised for getting the most out of his squad.
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