Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United look to end a five-match winless run as the Magpies welcome Bournemouth to St James’ Park.
Victory could see Newcastle climb to sixth if Fulham lose at Nottingham Forest on Frday evening, whereas Bournemouth can leapfrog the Magpies with a win and climb back into the top ten.
Team News
Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin could both return for Newcastle after recovering froom hamstring injuries.
Karl Darlow (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson (both hamstring) remain absent.
Bournemouth could welcome Junior Stanislas back from a groin injury if he passes a late fitness test.
Ben Pearson (knee), Joe Rothwell (quad) and David Brooks (fitness) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Bournemouth (W3, D2).
- Bournemouth have won two of four previous Premier League visits to St James’ Park (W2, L2).
- Both teams have scored in each of their last five Premier League meetings.
- Newcastle are yet to lose at home this season (W1, D2).
- Bournemouth have conceded 15 goals in three away matches in the Premier League this season (W1, L2).
Prediction
Having unintentionally had a fortnight to cool off following their controversial undeserved draw against Crystal Palace, Newcastle now have a chance to reset because indecisive shooting was their biggest issue a fortnight ago amidst great build-up play.
Bournemouth meanwhile were very scrappy in the first-half last time out at Forest and would of deservingly lost, yet they mounted a brilliantly aggressive second-half comeback to snatch a worthy win so now need to take the confidence of that second-half effort and apply that here across 90 minutes.
Now if the Cherries do that and can match Newcastle’s excellent attacking press plus movement, I think we are set to be in for a cracking tactical battle but Bournemouth’s poor away defensive form could well be their downfall if not careful.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Newcastle 1-1 Bournemouth
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