Southampton vs Newcastle Betting Analysis

George Burley's Southampton are not enjoying a good time of things in the Football League Championship - they are currently hovering just above the murky waters that embody the drop zone - and I can't see them leaving St James' Park with anything other than glum faces when they square up against Newcastle in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The reason for the Saints' plight in the league is simple: they've scored just 30 goals in the 34 matches played this season. In the two matches they have played in this competition thus far, their performances haven't been the most inspiring either. An injury time goal saw them eliminate Leicester in the last round, but it's their game in the penultimate round that concerns me. Although the match in question was entertaining - and Southampton won the match 4-3 - the opposition was Milton Keynes, currently marooned at the very foot of Football League One. Indeed, if the Saints are conceding three goals against a side in Milton Keynes's predicament on home soil, how are they likely to fare away to Newcastle? Not good, in my opinion. Sure, Newcastle's season has been one blighted with injury, instability and gross underachievement. However, the Magpies have won their last two Premiership matches - including a 2-1 away win against an in-form Aston Villa last weekend - and, despite they're own problems, they should brush Southampton aside in this tie. As you would expect, the home side are long odds-on in the match betting, but there are two betting opportunities that make plenty of appeal. French midfielder Charlie N'Zogbia has hit the back of the net in Newcastle's last two matches and looks extremely sharp at present. As such, the 10/3 offered by Paddy Power about him in the anytime goalscorer market looks well worth an interest. Southampton will probably play deep in this match with the intention of repelling Newcastle, who are very much an attack-minded side. I'd be surprised if this match were to develop into a bloodbath of goals, and the 6/1 Sporting Odds are offering about Newcastle winning 2-0 in the correct score market rates a tasty betting opportunity.