Southampton will look to boost their Premier League survival chances when they face Newcastle United in a potentially season-defining clash at St James' Park on Saturday.

The Saints had the chance to move clear of the relegation zone when they faced fellow strugglers Stoke City at St Mary's last weekend, but they failed to make a breakthrough against the Potters in a goalless draw that has left them just one point above the bottom three and with the supporters desperate for manager Mauricio Pellegrino to go.

The south coast outfit are in real danger of dropping down to the Championship having only won five of their 29 top flight matches this term, and the match on Tyneside is the first of three successive away league games for them, although they will take some solace from the fact that Rafa Benitez's side have the third worst home record in the Premier League.

Pellegrino will know that it is getting to the stage of the campaign where a draw against Newcastle won't be enough for him and his players, and he may well need to consider changing up the 4-2-3-1 formation he has primarily used since he succeeded Claude Puel last summer.

The Argentine boss made one change from the side that secured a 1-1 draw against Burnley for the game against Stoke last time out, but he could perhaps choose to make some more against the Magpies following another unconvincing display from his team.

Here is how Southampton must line up against Newcastle on Saturday, ahead of Alex McCarthy in goal…

Defence

Southampton have started with a back four of Cedric Soares, Jack Stephens, Wesley Hoedt and Ryan Bertrand for the majority of their matches in all competitions in 2018, and there is no reason why they won't be the defensive quartet at St James' Park.

Bertrand has been the stand-in captain in recent weeks in the absence of the injured Steven Davis, with both he and Cedric important players for the team from both a defensive and attacking point of view.

Stephens and Hoedt are both decent on the ball but can struggle aerially, and they will need to be wary at free-kicks and corners, and if the 6ft 4in Joselu starts up top for the hosts.

Midfield

Southampton have largely lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation this season, but given it isn't really working out for them at either end of the pitch, Mauricio Pellegrino should make a slight tweak to it and play a 4-4-1-1 system on Tyneside instead.

A flat four across the middle of the park would allow him to play Nathan Redmond, who impressed against Stoke, and Josh Sims right out on the wings, with Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina orchestrating things in the middle of the park.

Romeu has looked a little off the pace in recent matches, but the defensive contribution he brings to the team is vital on the road and he should keep his spot in the XI on that fact alone.

Attack

Dusan Tadic started in the central attacking midfield role behind Guido Carrillo in the draw against Stoke at St Mary's last weekend, but the duo made little impact in the final third and were both substituted off in the second half of the goalless draw.

Carrillo in particular has struggled to make much of an impression in his seven appearances so far and he has failed to get on the score-sheet for his new club despite starting their previous five matches.

It is time for Pellegrino to drop those two to the bench at St James' Park and bringing in Manolo Gabbiadini, who the fans want to see in the starting line-up following his goal against Burnley last month, in to play behind Shane Long, who can cause real problems for the Newcastle defence with his pace and never-say-die attitude.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.