One of the longest journeys football fans in England will ever have to make is the journey between Newcastle, the northernmost Premier League side, and Southampton.
The distance between the two clubs spans 329 miles. It can be argued that the excessive mileage might have a negative effect on the performance of the players of both sides. On the 98 occasions that the two sides have met in their history, the away team has only won 9% of occasions.
Both teams go into Sunday's game on the back of hugely important victories. Newcastle took all three points away from Bramall Lane on Wednesday night to end Sheffield United's long unbeaten run. Southampton, on the other hand, are in a recovery mode following a poor start to the season. The Saints, on Wednesday, beat fellow relegation rivals Norwich to take them out of the relegation zone.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Newcastle wins: 37
Southampton wins: 36
Draws: 23
Premier League
Southampton wins: 15
Newcastle wins: 13
Draws: 8
Premier League at St. James’ Park
Newcastle wins: 12
Draws: 3
Southampton wins: 3
Previous ten (all competitions)
Draws: 4
Southampton wins: 4 (19 goals)
Newcastle wins: 2 (13 goals)
League Record
Home: Played: 42, Won: 30 (71%), Drawn: 7, Lost: 5, Goals For: 98, Goals against: 40, Goal difference: +58, Pts: 97 (77%).
Away: Played: 42, Won: 4 (10%), Drawn: 13, Lost: 25, Goals For: 33, Goals against: 76, Goal difference: -43, Pts: 25 (20%).
First met in the league: 1934/35
Doubles achieved: 4
Doubles conceded: 3
Last home win: Newcastle United 3 (Ayoze Perez 27, 31, 86) Southampton 1 (Mario Lemina 59) - Premier League (20/04/2019).
Last home draw: Newcastle United 2 (Papiss Cisse 42, Georginio Wijnaldum 48) Southampton 2 (Graziano Pelle 27, Shane Long 79) - Premier League (22/01/1992).
Last home defeat: Newcastle United 1 (Yoan Gouffran 29) Southampton 2 (Eljero Elia 14, 62) - Premier League 17/01/2015.
Southampton's Last 10 (W2, D2, L6)
28/09: Tottenham (a), Premier League, Lost 1-2, 7 points - 14th place.
06/10: Chelsea (h), Premier League, Lost 1-4, 7 points - 17th place.
19/10: Wolves (a), Premier League, Drew 1-1, 8 points - 17th place.
25/10: Leicester (h), Premier League, Lost 0-9, 8 points - 18th place.
29/10: Man City (a), EFL Cup 4th Round, Lost 1-3.
02/11: Man City (a), Premier League, Lost 1-2, 8 points - 18th place.
09/11: Everton (h), Premier League, Lost 1-2, 8 points - 19th place.
23/11: Arsenal (a), Premier League, Drew 2-2, 9 points - 19th place.
30/11: Watford (h), Premier League, Won 2-1, 12 points - 18th place.
04/12: Norwich (h), Premier League, Won 2-1, 15 points - 17th place.
Average placing last 20 years: 21st (1st in Championship)
Biggest win: Newcastle United 5 - 0 Southampton (16/01/2000) - Premier League
Biggest defeat: Newcastle United 1 - 3 Southampton (15/02/1947) - (Old) Division Two