In the second of our Super Sunday double header, Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United travel to the opposite end of the country to face an underperforming Southampton side. Mauricio Pellegrino is slightly under the cosh after back-to-back losses against Man United and Stoke, while Benitez has newly promoted Newcastle in ninth place at the time of writing. Our football tips for the weekend are centralised around a severe lack of goals between these two sides.

For the visitors, the left back position remains a problem heading into this game, with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara both ruled out until late November. Rafa Benitez could also be without midfielders Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie with knee and muscular injuries respectively, while Jonjo Shelvey is a doubt with a metacarpal fracture.

Hosts Southampton are nearly at full fitness heading into this one. Academy product Matt Targett has an ankle injury and is still expected to be absent for a short while, while Ireland international Shane Long picked up a hip injury during the international break. Long is being assessed by the club’s medical staff as it stands and is unlikely to be risked on Sunday. Key central defender Virgil van Dijk started for the Netherlands last week and looks suitably prepared to remain in the Saints starting eleven for a second game running.

Home side Southampton have been given best odds of 5/6 with Ladbrokes at the time of writing, with the draw priced up at 27/10 with Ladbrokes and a Newcastle win chalked up at 18/5 with Betfair.

Southampton moved last season’s manager Claude Puel on after the club ‘underachieved’ with a seventh place finish, but the Saints aren’t looking any better at all in the early stages of Mauricio Pellegrino’s reign. Just two wins from seven matches, including disappointing results against Swansea, Huddersfield and Watford, have put the Argentinian under a hint of pressure as they return to St Mary’s this weekend. Despite commanding performances in terms of possession and shots on goal, Southampton have only scored in three of their seven matches. Pellegrino’s reputation from his time at Alaves was built on low scoring, tight games and that can’t be disputed so far. Only two of Southampton’s matches have gone over the 2.5 goal mark, while four have been under 1.5 goals.

Newcastle have enjoyed a decent start to life back in the Premier League with three wins and a draw from seven matches. Just like Saints, only two of Newcastle’s matches have gone beyond 2.5 goals, while three have remained under 1.5 goals. Coincidentally, all three of those contests were away matches, in 1-0 losses to Huddersfield and Brighton, along with a 1-0 win at Swansea. With both teams struggling to find a common source of goals in the opening quarter of the season, we’re very keen to get on board Under 2.5 match goals at a very generous 17/20 with Winner. Last season, 12 of Southampton’s 19 league matches at St Mary’s went under the 2.5 goal marker and with a similarly defensive manager at the helm, we feel there’s superb value here.

Against Stoke, talisman Virgil van Dijk returned to the Southampton line-up following a longstanding injury and an arduous summer transfer saga. Although his return didn’t coincide with a strong defensive performance immediately, Saints will almost certainly improve in the long-term with statistically one of the best defenders in the league in their ranks. In their seven league matches, Pellegrino’s side have had the lion’s share of possession every single time, including against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. With a powerful, reliable base and strong ball holding stats, Southampton have the basics of an ambitious side.

The biggest issue Saints have had has come down to proficiency in front of goal. With creative sparks like Nathan Redmond, James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic, chances shouldn’t really be too hard to come by. Yet Italy international Manolo Gabbiadini has just one goal from four starts this campaign, while Shane Long hasn’t once found the net in three starts. The only striker in their ranks with a league goal to his name is Charlie Austin and we believe the former Burnley and QPR deserves a shot at glory on Sunday.

Austin has only appeared from the bench this campaign, but Long’s injury and Gabbiadini’s inconsistency should allow for a run in the starting line-up. Austin had six goals in 12 games before he picked up a long-term injury last season and his absence was a huge contributor to Southampton’s weak year. The only currency the 28-year-old speaks in is goals and we believe he can make a world of difference here. Take the 7/4 on offer with Betfair for Charlie Austin to score anytime.

A £20 bet on Under 2.5 goals could return £37 with Winner, while £10 on Charlie Austin to score anytime could net you £27.50 with Betfair at the time of writing. Winner are currently offering a £200 bonus for new customers, while Betfair offer new customers £30 in free bets when they place an opening bet of £10. Ensure that you follow the links below to take advantage of these cracking gestures.