Michael Owen has shared that he is refusing to believe Newcastle United are a relegation-threatened side while predicting them to draw with Southampton.
The retired forward pointed out that his optimism that the fixture list was causing the Magpies to struggle was starting to fade, but he still didn’t view his former side as being in danger of relegation.
Owen shared that he thought Saturday’s clash between the two Premier League strugglers was massive for both clubs and felt that the Magpies could pick up a valuable point on their travels.
“This is Newcastle’s worst ever start to a Premier League campaign,” wrote Owen in his predictions for BetVictor.
“My optimism that the fixture list had been instrumental in that disappointing start is beginning to wear thin after back-to-back home losses to Leicester and Brighton.
“United don’t have a good record at Southampton and this is a massive game for both clubs.
“The Magpies had 27 shots against Brighton and I refuse to believe they are a relegation-threatened side. I feel they can pick up a valuable point on the south coast.”
OPINION
Owen may be holding out hope that the Magpies aren’t in the relegation dog-fight this season, perhaps the last pundit standing, however he still doesn’t predict his former side to get their first win. While picking up a point at St Mary’s against the struggling Saints is better than losing to them, Rafa Benitez really needs his side to get their first win on the board sooner rather than later. Given that Mark Hughes’ side are one of few the Premier League teams struggling as much as the Magpies, then a win is what needs to be brought home by Benitez’s team. The Magpies dominated possession against Brighton but were so awful in front of goal, that they ended up with a 1-0 defeat to show for their efforts. It’s unclear how the Spanish manager will get his side to score but the fact of the matter is, he somehow needs to see his side force the ball over the line, one way or another on Saturday.
