Newcastle United continue their push for European qualification against Bournemouth at St James’ Park.
Victory would see Newcastle stay seventh and move to within two points of sixth-placed Manchester United, whilst Bournemouth could go 12th with a win if Fulham lose elsewhere.
Team News
Callum Wilson is ruled out for Newcastle with a pectoral tendon injury suffered in their 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.
Joe Willock (Achilles) and Alexander Isak (groin) are unlikely to be risked here as the pair near returns to the matchday squad.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension) and Joelinton (quad) remain absent.
Bournemouth could welcome Philip Billing back from suspension after he missed their defeat at Fulham.
Romain Faivre however misses out due to illness but is expected to be available for the Cherries’ home clash against Manchester City next weekend.
Darren Randolph (illness), James Hill (ankle), Max Aarons (muscle), Ryan Fredericks (calf) and Tyler Adams (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday 17 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have lost one of their last five league meetings against Bournemouth (W2, D2, L1).
- Bournemouth have claimed seven points from their five previous Premier League visits to Newcastle (W2, D1, L2).
- Both teams have scored in seven of their last eight league meetings – except for Bournemouth’s 2-0 home win earlier this season.
- Nine of Alexander Isak’s 10 league goals for Newcastle this season were scored on his right foot.
- Bournemouth have kept no clean sheets in their last four away matches in the top-flight (W1, D1, L2).
Prediction
Having rediscovered their groove lately amidst continued leaky defending and a striker crisis up front, Newcastle just need to continue to play with the same clinical attacking play which has seen them take seven points in their last three games.
Bournemouth meanwhile were incredibly wasteful in their loss at Fulham with just one goal from 25 shots so more patience in their end product and tidier defending is needed, especially at a ground where they have a decent record in recent visits.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies however know that winning games like these will be key to keeping pace with Man Utd with both teams chasing an unlikely top-four finish, so I do fancy them to win this game at home but Bournemouth really should run them close if can sort out their end product.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Newcastle 2-2 Bournemouth
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