Seeley’s Selections – Newcastle v Southampton

Whatever happens for the remainder of the season, Southampton have been the Premier League team of the year for me and it’s incredible to think that my ante-post tip for the drop, can take another huge step towards a top-four finish with a victory at Newcastle on Saturday evening.

What Ronald Koeman has already achieved down on the South coast is a minor miracle and dreams of Champions League football looked very slim, to say the least when they lost five matches in a row at the end of 2014, but the response has been very impressive.

They are now unbeaten in seven in all competitions and last week’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford made it 13 points from a very difficult five-game Premier League run.

I really like their chances in this one at a very generous looking 7/5 with BoyleSports against a Newcastle side that haven’t scored since Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace and is without key men Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote.

Newcastle backers are always 100 per cent behind their team and they will be heavily supported by the toon army at the 23/10 with BoyleSports in this one, they will be encouraged by their excellent home record against the Saints where they are unbeaten in their last 11 matches, but their current form is shocking with just one win in their last eight.

The last time Southampton made the long trip back to Hampshire with three points was back in March 1997 when one of my favourites “Barbie Girl” by Aqua was top of the charts. Without Cisse, who is their ONLY goalscorer I really can’t see them scoring at a Southampton win to nil is also a bet I like at the bargain price of 14/5 with BoyleSports.

Southampton beat Newcastle 4-0 at St Mary’s and thats 80/1 with BoyleSports to happen again and although I expect them to win comfortably I can’t see that wide a margin victory.

The last five Southampton games have all seen the matches feature less than 2.5 goals and at 7/10 with BoyleSports that should be considered, but I know you lot like bigger prices to get stuck into and the 13/2 with BoyleSports on a 1-0 away win would be my idea of the scoreline. The Saints answered our prayers with a 1-0 FA Cup win in midweek when landing us a nice pay-day and I think they will produce another professional performance and win by the slenderest of margins for the third consecutive match.

Shane Long banged the winner in midweek and if the Republic of Ireland striker is given the opportunity to lead the line for the visitors he interests me at BoyleSports 5/1 to score first. Long is a player that blows hot and cold with his goalscoring record and when he’s hot he tends to score in streaks and at that price he’s worth a small play.

And remember “Double Bubble” if your first goalscorer nets inside the opening 20 minutes BoyleSports will double the odds on your winning selection.

B lucky!

Seeley’s Selections:
Southampton to win to nil @ 14/5
Under 2.5 Goals @ 7/10
Correct Score: Newcastle 0-1 Southampton @ 13/2
Shane Long First Goalscorer @ 5/1 (10/1 Double Bubble)