Sean Longstaff replaces Isaac Hayden: Predicted Newcastle lineup to face Southampton

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Two games in and Newcastle United are in the relegation zone.

The Magpies have lost to West Ham and Aston Villa, while they also crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Burnley. Maybe it’s just teams that wear claret that we struggle against…

Next up for Newcastle is Southampton, who got their first point of the season last week at home to Manchester United.

They had better luck in the cup midweek, hammering Newport County 8-0.

Steve Bruce needs a result, but who will he pick to face the Saints?

No changes in defence predicted against Southampton

Newcastle have been poor defensively so far this season.

However, it seems unlikely that Bruce will make any changes at the back against Southampton.

Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez are our best three centre-backs, especially with no new signings arriving to put them under any pressure.

Jacob Murphy will need to improve, with Javi Manquillo breathing down his neck with a decent performance against Burnley on Wednesday.

Sean Longstaff starts for Newcastle

One change will likely come in midfield. Isaac Hayden picked up an injury against Aston Villa, and was replaced by Sean Longstaff.

Bruce has admitted that it’s ‘touch and go’ for Hayden, so Longstaff will likely start in his place in the middle of the midfield three.

He’ll have Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron either side of them, with the latter looking to bounce back from his penalty miss in the League Cup.

Callum Wilson leads the line

It will no doubt be Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin up top. However, they will need to perform better than they did at Villa Park.

Wilson looked particularly frustrated last weekend, missing a golden chance to put Newcastle ahead early on.

The pair impressed against West Ham on the opening weekend, and fans will be praying for more of the same.

Predicted Newcastle XI to face Southampton: Woodman; Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez; Murphy, Willock, Longstaff, Almiron, Ritchie; Saint-Maximin, Wilson.