Bournemouth meet Newcastle in a massive Premier League fixture at the Vitality Stadium.
Victory would lift Bournemouth up to second for at least a few hours until Arsenal’s tea-time match reaches its conclusion.
Newcastle can climb to seventh with a win if Sunderland lose at home to Aston Villa.
Team News
Bafode Diakite is set to be available for Bournemouth after he missed their 2-1 win over Brighton with an unspecified injury.
Ryan Christie (foot) is available but Adam Smith (hamstring) and Enes Unal (knee) remain absent.
Newcastle will be without defender, Fabian Schar due to concussion protocols, which will keep him out until early October.
Jacob Ramsey (ankle) and Yoane Wissa (knee) are ruled out but Anthony Gordon is suspended as he serves the last of a three-match domestic ban.
When is Kick-Off?
Bournemouth host Newcastle at Vitality Stadium on Sunday 21 September at 2pm BST, live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Newcastle (W2, D4)
- Newcastle have lost just one of their seven previous Premier League trips to Bournemouth (W2, D4, L1).
- Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are seeking consecutive Premier League wins over Newcastle for the first time since March 2016 – November 2017.
- Bournemouth scored first in their two league games at home so far this season (W2).
- Newcastle have kept clean sheets in three of their four league games this season (W1, D2, L1), including goalless draws at Aston Villa and Leeds in their two away games.
Prediction
Having battled their way to a gutsy home win over Brighton and having won their last three league games on the bounce, Bournemouth just need to keep playing their game and try to avoid poor marking from crosses – of which Brighton clinically punished for their equaliser.
Newcastle meanwhile gave Barcelona a strong fight despite their expected defeat but they need to take the positives from that game, but this game will represent a chance for the Magpies and Eddie Howe to show their learnings in game-to-game management compared to 2023-24 season.
I however do think that Bournemouth will be too strong if they continue to play with the composure and defensive graft that we’ve seen recently.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Newcastle
Result: Bournemouth 0-0 Newcastle