Sissoko Newcastle Januzaj Manchester United
Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj challenges Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko i their English Premier League game, December 7. Reuters

The 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford was the icing on the cake of a brilliant Newcastle run which has seen them pick up maximum points in five of their last six games in the English Premier League.

Now Alan Pardew and co. will look to add a few more layers to that enticing cake, with extra icing, starting with a home game at St. James' Park against Southampton.

Not too long ago, Southampton were flying high near the top of the table in the Premier League, with Newcastle looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone.

However, in just a few weeks, it is Newcastle that find themselves with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea well within their sights, while the Saints have made a rather rapid climb down the table following three losses in their last four matches, albeit three of them extremely difficult ones.

Signs of resurgence from three straight defeats were shown by a 1-1 draw against Manchester City last weekend and Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to build from that result.

"I'm happy with the manner in which that point was achieved," Pochettino told Saints Player. "The team played very well and we were able to cut the run of negative results, which was very important for us.

"We showed that we are a real team and that we work for each other and help each other. Regardless of who is playing, the players all stand up to be counted."

An extra needle will be added to the game with Pardew, the Newcastle manager, still a little rankled by the sudden sacking handed out to him by Southampton in 2010.

"It does add spice because I felt it was an injustice losing my job there but I won't be the first manager to say that," Pardew said. "I'm looking forward to seeing my old players because I loved working with them.

"I'm over the moon they have done so well but on a personal level, this is a match I really want to win."

Regardless of all the background stuff, the match promises to be an end-to-end encounter with both sides fond of the football and happy to bomb forward and trouble the opponents' defence.

"There is a huge significance in this result," Pardew added. "Southampton are a good side, very similar to ourselves in that they are set up to attack. It should be a cracker."

Team news: Newcastle: Yohan Cabaye, the man who scored the winner against Manchester United, is not available through suspension, leaving Pardew with a decision to make on the French midfielder's replacement, with either Hatem Ben Arfa or Vurnon Anita the likely player to come in.

Southampton: The injury list is still pretty big with Artur Boruc, Kelvin Davis, Morgan Schneiderlin, Guly Do Prado, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Fox and Victor Wanyama all expected to miss the game on Saturday.

Key men: Newcastle: Loic Remy has not found the net for a few games now which means the French forward is due a goal or two; not great news for Saints fans.

Southampton: Striker Dani Osvaldo was on target against Manchester City, scoring a peach of a goal and that strike might just be the springboard for the Italian international to find his groove in the Premier League.

Where to Watch Live

The game is scheduled for an 8.30 pm IST start with no live coverage. All the action can be live streamed, however, via the link HERE. To catch the action live online in the U.S., click HERE. Viewers in Australia, click HERE. North Africa and the Middle East viewers can watch the match courtesy live streaming HERE.

Expected lineups: Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Tiote, Anita; Gouffran, Sissoko, Remy, Ameobi.

Southampton: Gazzaniga; Chamber, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw; Cork, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez; Osvaldo.

Prediction: 1-1