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da cassino online： Newcastle United must make a long trip to the south coast this weekend in order to face fellow strugglers Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Magpies are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table, with nine matches played, and are yet to register a win in the competition. With just two points to their name, they are already four points from safety. The Tyneside outfit certainly need a win and the longer they go on without it the more pressure will mount upon manager Rafa Benitez.
Considering the Saints are also in poor form though, Saturday afternoon offers Newcastle an excellent opportunity to break their barren run. However, in order to emerge with those desperately needed three points, the Magpies must remain solid at the back.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”312947″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Fixture in Focus Southampton v Newcastle”]
The club’s captain and talismanic figure, Jamaal Lascelles, is an automatic pick as one of Benitez’s two starting centre-backs. Who will partner him in the heart of the defence is less clear. Federico Fernandez has played that role – taking over from Ciaran Clark – in recent weeks. However, poor results show that once again change may be in order.
Summer signing Fabian Schar has had little opportunity to shine for his new club, with only one league outing under his belt to date. The 26-year-old Switzerland international has proved on both the international stage and for his previous clubs – including Basel, Hoffenheim and Deportivo La Coruna – that he is a top class defender though.
Benitez ought to hand Schar an opportunity to prove his worth in England, starting with Saturday’s clash with Southampton.
Many of the St James’ Park faithful, though, would rather see Fernandez retain his place, with 76% voting for him in our poll. 26% were in favour of Schar’s inclusion. See the full results below.