2024-25 Premier League: Week 22 – Newcastle vs Bournemouth

Newcastle United meet Bournemouth at St James’ Park in the race for European qualification. 

Victory will lift Newcastle up to third in the table, whilst Bournemouth can go sixth with a win.

 

Team News

Fabian Schar is a doubt for Newcastle after he missed their 3-0 midweek win over Wolves due to illness.

Harvey Barnes (thigh), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Nick Pope and Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) remain absent.

Bournemouth will welcome Kepa Arrizabalaga back into contention after he was ineligible to feature in their 2-2 draw at his parent club, Chelsea.

James Hill is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Julian Araujo, Luis Sinisterra (both hamstring), Adam Smith, Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi (all muscle), Enes Unal (ACL), Evanilson (metatarsal) and Alex Scott (knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Newcastle host Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday 18 January at 12:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Newcastle are winless in their last five league meetings against Bournemouth (D4, L1).
• Bournemouth have lost two of their six previous Premier League visits to Newcastle (W2, D2, L2).
• Anthony Gordon has scored in Newcastle’s last two meetings against Bournemouth (D2).
• Alexander Isak has been involved in 20 league goals for Newcastle this season (15 goals + 5 assists).
• Lewis Cook has made more tackles than any other Bournemouth player this season (47).

 

Prediction

Now unbeaten in nine matches following a clinically dominant win against Wolves, Newcastle certainly can’t afford to get complacent because this fixture has tended to be one of their trickiest fixtures in recent seasons, so it’s imperative that they try to produce another controlled display if want a 10th straight win in all competitions.

Bournemouth though can’t be underestimated because despite getting outplayed in attack at Chelsea, they were clinical and came close to a win if not for a stunning free-kick from Reece James in injury-time, which will give them confidence coming into this game where they will need to likely be effective on the counter-attack.

Nevertheless I am expecting this match to be a tough scrap between two in-form teams but if Newcastle score first, I can see them taking them win no matter how scrappy it gets.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth