Relegation battling Bournemouth face a tough test as they welcome Newcastle United to the Vitaly Stadium.
A point for Bournemouth could temporarily lift them out of the relegation zone, whilst Newcastle could climb as high as 12th with victory.
Team News
Embed from Getty ImagesCallum Wilson is suspended for Bournemouth as he serves the first of a two match ban after picking up his tenth yellow card last time out at Wolves.
Philip Billing (leg) is available but Joshua King (ankle) faces a late fitness test, whilst Charlie Daniels and Simon Francis miss out with knee injuries.
Newcastle could have Matt Ritchie in contention after the midfielder missed Sunday’s FA Cup exit against Manchester City with a tight hamstring.
Florian Lejeune (fitness) and Ciaran Clark (ankle) still remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth have won just one of their last five meetings against Newcastle (W1, D2, L2).
- Newcastle have won just one of six previous trips to Bournemouth in all competitions (W1, D3, L2).
- The Magpies have scored first in all three Premier League trips to Bournemouth.
- Both of their last two meetings at the Vitaly Stadium ended in 2-2 draws.
- Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey are the only two Newcastle players to have hit the woodwork more than once this season, doing so on two occasions each.
Prediction
Bournemouth will be glad to have had a week to prepare for this match after an underwhelming restart, because they need to start showing more attacking prowess if want to score goals and stay up.
Newcastle meanwhile should be back playing their usual style after Sunday’s disastrous decision to go defensive, which should hopefully mean a more attacking performance although this is their first away game since the restart.
Both teams therefore should hopefully give good attacking performances but I can see Newcastle squeezing a draw out of this, particularly given how good their defence is which will be an issue for Bournemouth.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle United
Result: Bournemouth 1-4 Newcastle United