Bournemouth (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
After a difficult week for the country following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Premier League football returns this weekend for the first time in a fortnight.
With our away trip to West Ham cancelled last Sunday, we face newly promoted Bournemouth in Saturday's 3pm kick off at St James' Park, hoping to right the wrongs of that Crystal Palace stalemate that saw VAR deny us a perfectly good goal - and perhaps two well deserved points in the process!
There's a feeling that we haven't got the goals or wins our performances have deserved so far this season, but with that comes a belief we'll take advantage of the kind fixtures coming our way, as upcoming games with Bournemouth, Fulham and Brentford hand us the ideal opportunity to kick-start our campaign.
The Cherries pulled off a spirited comeback win over Nottingham Forest in their last outing, where they won 3-2 after going 2-0 down. They were battered 9-0 by Liverpool last month and arrive without a full-time manager after Scott Parker's sacking, however it would be unwise to underestimate Eddie Howe's former club, either on the pitch our in the stands.
Hopefully the players turn up with the bit between their teeth and St James' Park is rocking. Mix those two things together and I'm convinced we'll come away with a big win.
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes is in contention to return after stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury, although some wonder if he'll make the bench - at best - for this one.
The game looks set to come too soon for Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, although Eddie Howe refused to rule out either in his press conference on Friday morning.
New signing Loris Karius will come into the squad after an ankle injury to Karl Darlow, while Emil Krafth (ACL) and Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) remain out.
For Bournemouth, Junior Stanislas could return to the squad after taking part in training this week, but David Brooks, Ben Pearson and Joe Rothwell look set to remain out for the visitors.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Willock, S Longstaff, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Fraser.
With Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson expected to miss out and Bruno Guimaraes likely to make the bench if he does return, I think we may go with the same side that started that 0-0 draw with Palace.
Hopefully Bruno is ready to come straight back into the start 11 - where he would likely replace Sean Longstaff if possible - but I can't see him being risked in a game we could still win comfortably without him.
Elliot Anderson is deserving of a start after he caused havoc from the bench last time out, however I'd still back Ryan Fraser to get the nod - for now - against his former club, with Howe aware of the impact Anderson can have late on if we need him.
At the back, it's tough on Burn if he misses out again, however ball-playing duo Sven Botman and Fabian Schar seem more suited in a fixture where we'll likely dominate possession, with their ability to create from deep a real asset in home games like this.
As for Isak, the Swede will have benefited from two weeks training with his new teammates, giving him the ideal chance to grab his first goal at St James' Park against a leaky Bournemouth back line.
Predicted Bournemouth XI: Neto - Smith, Mepham, Kelly, Zemura - Lerma, Cook - Tavernier, Billing, Antony - Solanke.
One to watch: Dominic Solanke - The former England U21 star flopped at Liverpool, but with 30 goals last season and a goal and an assist in Bournemouth's comeback win over Nottingham Forest last time out, he is the danger man Botman and Schar will need to take care of.
Prediction
It's a shame at least two of our three absent stars look set to sit this one out once again, but I back us to come away with a comfortable win regardless.
I also don't expect us to underestimate them, as we'll be desperate to come away with our second win of the season after a series of horrible luck and tough treatment over the past month.
With Isak up top, energy out wide, a dynamic midfield and plenty of class at the back, I think we'll have too much for Howe's former side in all areas of the pitch.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Bournemouth
