Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of tonight's Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Southampton at St James' Park. There's plenty at stake for both sides, and we should have team news with you shortly.

NEWCASTLE: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara; Sissoko, Anita, Colback; Cabella, Perez, Gouffran

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Woodman, Santon, Williamson, Abeid, Ameobi, Armstrong, Riviere

Following last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, Newcastle caretaker manager John Carver has made just the one change for this evening's match as Massaido Haidara replaces Mike Williamson. Meanwhile, the Magpies remain without Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse, who are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

© Getty Images

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Bertrand; Reed, S Davis, Ward-Prowse; Tadic, Elia, Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K Davis, Long, Cork, Isgrove, McCarthy, Targett, Hesketh

After seeing his side beat Ipswich Town 1-0 in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has made four changes to his starting XI as Ryan Bertrand, Steven Davis, Eljero Elia and Graziano Pelle are all recalled. However, it will be interesting to see how the Saints fare tonight with a handful of key players missing. Morgan Schneiderlin won't play again this month due to an adductor injury, while Victor Wanyama and Toby Alderweireld are also sidelined.

Right, let's get down to business. It's safe to say that Newcastle are in need of the points following one win, one draw and four defeats in their last six league games. The Magpies are certainly in a transitional period in the wake of Alan Pardew's exit as manager, but a victory this evening could really lift the spirits of the North-East club.

Newcastle caretaker boss John Carver: "[Southampton] deserve to be where they are. To be sitting third in the Premier League after what they lost in the summer is quite incredible. The recruitment under Les Reed has been fantastic. He's done a great job behind the scenes.

"They have replaced the players with better players in my opinion. And obviously appointed a top head coach who has them well organised and working extremely hard for each other as we saw at Old Trafford last weekend. But they also have talent. Tadic and Pelle are goalscorers and Ward-Prowse, who has come through the system."

And what of Southampton? Well, the Saints were hugely impressive last weekend as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford to significantly boost their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Ronald Koeman's side look to be the real deal following doubts over their credentials. There's still a long way to go this season, but it looks as if Southampton are here for the long haul.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "Every game is different. They play at home, they have had some defeats in the last few weeks and, for sure they will have some bad feeling about the 4-0 that they got in Southampton.

"But we know they are a strong team at home. They beat Chelsea at home, but it is not easy to beat Southampton.

"We had Chelsea at home, Arsenal at home, Man United away and got seven out of nine points. Of course, that makes good belief for the players but we know we have to fight, have to work hard to continue this, what we are doing."

UPDATE! Today's six 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League have all now finished, so here come the results...

Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace
Leicester City 0-1 Stoke City
Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Manchester United
Swansea City 0-5 Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Sunderland

With Manchester United beating QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road, Southampton are down to fourth place in the table. However, the Saints can go back up to third if they avoid defeat this evening. Newcastle are down to 11th position thanks to Stoke's win at Leicester, but the Magpies can push into the top half if they claim all three points over the course of the next 90 minutes.

PHOTOS: The #SaintsFC squad check out St James' Park after arriving ahead of this evening's game with @NUFC. pic.twitter.com/cHXWLRsge0 — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 17, 2015

It was a completely one-sided affair when these teams met at St Mary's Stadium in September as Southampton cruised to a 4-0 win over Newcastle. Graziano Pelle scored twice for the hosts, while Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin also found the net. The match was also notable for John Carver, who was then assistant to Alan Pardew, getting into a heated debate with a Newcastle fan in the build-up. Carver has since said that he regrets the incident, which was symptomatic of Pardew's controversial reign at the club.

HEAD TO HEAD: Newcastle have the better overall record when it comes to past encounters between these sides, winning 34 games compared to 28 for Southampton. There have also been a total of 17 draws since they first played each other nearly 100 years ago.

In terms of recent meetings, it's been fairly even. Southampton have won three of the last six, while Newcastle have claimed the spoils on two occasions.

One encounter during the Premier League's glory days of the early 1990s saw a certain Matthew Le Tissier score this beauty at The Dell. Have some of that.

One the subject of videos, you can check out our video preview of this evening's match below:

There are sure to be plenty of eyes on Southampton to see whether they can cope without Schneiderlin and Wanyama. The midfielder duo were superb at Old Trafford last weekend and they are sure to be misses tonight. That said, the Saints have a very robust squad and Ronald Koeman is likely to have a solid plan to adapt without the pair.

Not long to go until kickoff now. The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel at St James' Park, waiting to step into what will be a white-hot atmosphere inside the stadium.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match rituals have been done, and it will be visitors Southampton to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been a positive start from Newcastle, who are looking dangerous during the early stages. A quick break involving Sissoko sees the midfielder end the move with a shanked shot from the edge of the box before Perez's attempted pass through to Gouffran is cut out by the Southampton defence.

The home side cause their opponents a couple of problems again as the ball pings about in the box following Cabella's cross from the right. It looks as if Gouffran might be able to get on the end of it, but the visitors again see out the danger. The Saints are yet to get into their groove.

Credit to Newcastle's midfield - they're not letting Southampton have any time on the ball when the visitors try to advance up the pitch. The home side win the ball back again through Anita before Cabella's cross is just about gathered by Forster. John Carver will be pleased with what he's seen so far: Newcastle are dictating the pace of this game.

Great play from the lively Perez, who twists and turns inside the box before seeing his low drive saved by Forster. The youngster has been impressive during his brief time at Newcastle, and you can tell that the fans like to watch him play. The home side create another chance moments later, but Gouffran's stinging volley from 25 yards is straight at the goalkeeper.

Southampton take the lead against the run of play as Elia nets his first goal for the club! A long ball upfield is knocked down brilliantly by Pelle to Ward-Prowse, whose threaded pass is converted by Elia with a low shot on the angle. Could goalkeeper Krul have done better? Probably. The ball seemed to go straight through the Dutchman.

Newcastle looked the better side before that goal, but there's suddenly a familiar feeling of apprehension around St James' Park. That was pretty much Southampton's first meaningful attack of the game.

1 - Eljero Elia has scored his first league goal since November 2013. Rejuvenated. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 17, 2015

Southampton are now looking in control of this match. They were really struggling before that goal, but Ronald Koeman's men are beginning to dominate possession in that trademark way of theirs. The movement is slick, the passing is patient, and Newcastle are doing most of the running.

CHANCE! Southampton really should be 2-0 up as Fonte rises highest to get his head on Ward-Prowse's free kick from the right, but the defender can only nod over the crossbar. The look on his face says that he knows he should have buried that.

Newcastle just aren't showing that urgency to get forward at the moment. If anything, they're looking a bit nervous. It's as if the home side don't want to commit too many men forward in case Southampton hit them on the break. Gouffran in particular has disappointed up front so far.

Okay, so maybe Gouffran isn't doing that bad. The Frenchman draws Newcastle level, but it's a fortuitous striker to say the least. Cabella's threaded pass is cut out a few yards inside the box by Fonte, who hits the ball onto Gouffran's thigh and then into the net. It's a farcical, yet valuable goal for the Magpies.

Not a good couple of minutes for Tadic, who goes down rather dramatically under a challenge from Haidara before kicking the ball away petulantly after being caught offside from a free kick.

Elia protests to the linesman after he's brought down on the edge of the box, but play is waved on and Newcastle have a goal kick. That looked to be a certain foul there. He can count himself unlucky. Just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining in the first half and it remains a curious encounter that has ebbed and flowed.

It's all got a bit scrappy out there as the two sides jostle for supremacy. The hosts have a half-chance as Gouffran tries his luck from distance, only for his effort to go way off target. The goalscorer had better options out wide there, with Janmaat busting a gut down the right flank.

PENALTY SHOUT! Newcastle want a free kick as Sissoko is brought down by Clyne, but referee Robert Madley waves away the appeals. It's the right decision too because Clyne did excellently to slide in and win the ball there. A great tackle from the England international.

A bit of an opening for Newcastle now as Colback's cross from the right gives the Southampton defence something to think about. Perez then comes within inches of giving the hosts the lead as he half-volleys wide following Cabella's long ball forward. That would have been some goal.

There will be just the one added minute at the end of the half...

Referee Robert Madley blows the half-time whistle to bring the curtain down on a fairly entertaining opening 45 minutes at St James' Park. Southampton took the lead against the run of play through Eljero Elia before Yoan Gouffran levelled in fortunate circumstances for Newcastle.

It's about right that the teams go in level at the break. Neither has really taken a firm grip of this match, but that doesn't mean it's been a dull affair. It's been end to end at times, but a lack of creativity and finishing has been a big factor.

9 - Newcastle have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine Premier League matches against Southampton. Porous. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 17, 2015

There was plenty of talk about Schneiderlin and Wanyama being absent for Southampton this evening and it was obvious during that opening period. Newcastle enjoyed plenty of the ball in midfield, with the likes of Colback and Anita putting themselves about. It's sure to be a key area of the pitch in the second half and Ronald Koeman will want his side to show a bit more fight.

Southampton will go back to third place in the table if things stay as they are. The Saints need to avoid defeat if they want to leapfrog Man Utd, while Newcastle have to win if they want to push into the top half.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are out for the second half and it will be Newcastle to kick us off. No changes from either manager at the break.

It's been a low-key start to the second half, with both sides seeing a fair bit of the ball. However, we are yet to have any real openings in front of goal.

That's disappointing from Janmaat. The Dutch full-back does well to work himself some space down the right, but his cross is a poor one that sails over everyone's heads and goes out of play for a goal kick. He had plenty of bodies waiting in the penalty area there.

A difficult opportunity falls the way of Cabella, who hooks a half-volley over the crossbar from about 20 yards. The Frenchman really had to angle his body in an awkward way to get any sort of decent connection on the ball.

We've only had 10 minutes of the second half, but this game is in need of something to bring it to life. There's not a great deal of urgency from either of these sides, though it's Newcastle who are looking a little bit hungrier at the moment.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The visitors make their first changes of the game as Jack Cork and Shane Long replace Ward-Prowse and Tadic.

He's done it again! Elia puts Southampton back in the lead and it's a lovely finish from the loan signing. Long heads the ball down to his teammate, who takes a couple of touches before drilling the ball low into the bottom corner via a deflection from the edge of the box. Newcastle had a chance moments before when Gouffran headed wide from Haidara's cross.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes the way of Southampton midfielder Davis for grappling with Anita.

How far do Newcastle push forward now in search of an equaliser? The Magpies have 25 minutes to get themselves back into this match, but they will be fully aware just how dangerous the visitors are on the break. It looks as if the home side might be preparing a change or two.

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Here are those changes for the hosts, with Gouffran and Anita being replaced by Sammy Ameobi and Emmanuel Riviere.

2 - Eljero Elia has scored his first brace in league football since September 2013 (for Werder Bremen vs 1. FC Nürnberg). Resurrection. — OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) January 17, 2015

You get the feeling that this could be quite a scrappy finale. The two sides are struggling to hold onto the ball as we head into the remaining 15 minutes of this game. Newcastle aren't looking particularly dangerous, but that doesn't mean that they are out of this game. Meanwhile, Southampton would love another goal to put it to bed.

CHANCE! Newcastle almost grab an equaliser as Dummett jumps above Long to get his head to a corner, but the defender nods wide. That was a great opportunity for the youngster and he knows it.

OFF THE CROSSBAR! That could well have been game, set and match to Southampton as Pelle heads Clyne's cross onto the crossbar. An inch or two lower and that would have surely been in because Krul looked well beaten there. Newcastle can count themselves lucky. They're still in this game with a little over 10 minutes left to play.

NEWCASTLE SUB: A change for the hosts here as Mike Williamson replaces Dummett, who missed that glorious chance a few minutes ago when he headed wide from a corner.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Now it's the visitors who shake things up, with two-goal hero Elia coming off for youngster Matt Targett. Elia gets a great reception from the travelling fans.

The hosts are beginning to look a bit rushed as time runs out for them. Coloccini and Williamson are getting further forward, but that's leaving a fair bit of space at the back for Southampton to exploit.

Newcastle are continuing to pile on the pressure. They're pumping a fair few crosses into the Southampton box, but the visitors are doing an exemplary job of dealing with the danger.

There will be FOUR MINUTES of added time...

CHANCE! Newcastle surge forward through Ameobi, who puts a great cross into the box towards Cabella. However, the Frenchman fluffs his lines and scuffs the ball horribly before Southampton clear.

PENALTY APPEAL! Do Newcastle have a claim here? Riviere's shot flies up onto the arm of Fonte, but the referee shakes his head and waves play on. Fonte was dicing with danger there because his arm was in a fairly high position.

YELLOW CARD! Southampton striker Long goes into the book after a silly challenge from behind on Cabella.

Boos ring out from the home fans as Southampton claim a 2-1 win over Newcastle thanks to those two goals from Eljero Elia. It wasn't a classic, but the Saints will not mind because they are back up to third place in the table.

That's all from our live text coverage of tonight's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!