🏆 Bournemouth (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

With the World Cup now over following Argentina's dramatic win out in Qatar, domestic football finally returns this week as we take on Bournemouth in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

It's been a weird few weeks, watching England at a time where we're used to a hectic build-up of festive fixtures, but it seems Eddie Howe has kept us in good shape.

A warm-weather trip to Saudi Arabia featured some team-building activities and a 5-0 win over Al-Hilal, which was followed by a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at St James' Park on Saturday.

Now, we face Howe's former club on Tuesday night, knowing a victory will send us into the quarter finals of the league cup and two wins from Wembley!

Ahead of the game, the boss had this to say, talking up the importance of regaining momentum and being "ready physically" for a Cherries side standing in the way of our search for a trophy:

“It’s important to re-establish our momentum. Where we finished against Chelsea, there was a really good feeling around the stadium. We want to get back there as quickly as we can.

“Given the Premier League schedule, we think it’s good to have this game, but we have tried to be ready physically for this game as it is a chance for us to advance in a very important competition. That’s how we’ve approached the game.”

Team news

The game will come too soon for Alexander Isak (thigh) and Allan Saint-Maximin is facing a late fitness test after picking up a 'slight injury' during Saturday's friendly.

Callum Wilson is 'fine', but it remains to be seen if he or any of our other World Cup representatives feature after a few weeks away in Qatar.

Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett are expected to miss out once again, meaning we could see a couple of U21 talents in the squad.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Karius - Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, Targett - Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Almiron, Wood, Anderson.

Howe didn't give much away on the injury front in Friday's press conference, so some of these selections presume those who missed the Rayo Vallecano friendly were simply being saved for today.

I wonder if the likes of Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Willock and Botman will be kept back for Leicester away on Boxing Day, but think Karius could be rewarded for his solid display in Saudi with a first competitive start for the club.

Schar may be given extra time to recover after he was forced off with an injury in Switzerland's last World Cup game. Bruno didn't play much for Brazil, however, and may be raring to go as a result, so I fancy our midfield maestro to return to Howe's XI.

Joelinton, Burn and Almiron all missed out over the weekend and should come back in, with Wood and Anderson leading contenders to start in attack if Wilson and ASM aren't risked. There's Fraser, but talk of him wanting out in January casts doubts around his involvement from the off.

Manquillo could easily come in at right-back, but Trippier's influence is huge at both ends and could be key if we are missing several first-team stars.

Prediction

It's tough to know what to expect after an unprecedented mid-season break, but I back Howe to keep standards high.

Bournemouth have new owners and O'Neil is now their permanent manager after a solid run of results, yet a sickness bug means they could have a few key players missing.

After beating Palace on penalties in the last round, I fancy Almiron to score again in a win within the 90!

Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Bournemouth