St James’ Park hosts its biggest game in years as Newcastle United take on Southampton for a place in the Carabao Cup final tonight (kick-off 8pm).
Eddie Howe’s men hold a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg following Joelinton’s 73rd-minute winner.
While there were celebrations in the St Mary’s away end, there weren’t any from Howe and his players, who both know the job is far from done.
“It was a tight game,” said Howe reflecting on last week’s game. “I think first half we probably shaded it, second half definitely for a spell of 20-25 minutes they shaded it and we were indebted to Nick (Pope) to make a couple of really big saves in the game.
“Overall I was pleased with our performance but we know Southampton are a strong team. They’ve added players in the window as well, I think they’ve got a big squad, a talented squad and a new manager, a very talented manager
“Certainly from our perspective - and I’ve drilled this into the players this week - this game is by no means over. This tie is not over. It’s very much in the balance. We’re going to need a top performance and we’re going to need the crowd with us from minute one to the end, and hopefully we can get through.”
The biggest selection dilemma Howe has is whether to stick with Callum Wilson, or recall club-record signing Alexander Isak following his excellent cameo down the South Coast.
Here’s how we’re predicting Newcastle United to line-up versus the Saints: