Bournemouth (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
Following four draws in our last five Premier League games, Newcastle United will be looking to get back to winning ways in our South Coast clash with Bournemouth on Saturday night.
Eddie Howe returns to his former club, facing a side who held us to a frustrating 1-1 draw when the two teams met at St James' Park in September.
The Cherries sit second bottom and have been on a dismal run since football returned following the World Cup break, suffering seven defeats and one draw in their last eight games in all competitions. That said, they signed well in the final few days of January, with tricky attackers Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traorè three ones to watch ahead of home debuts.
As for Eddie's Mags, we followed booking a place in the Carabao Cup final with a flat display against West Ham last weekend. The Hammers were tough to break down and did well to keep us quiet in wide areas, although it was another game we could've won had we taken our chances.
Although frustrating, that is a good sign. Bruno Guimaraes will be a big miss, but with the meanest defence in Europe and only one side creating more 'big chances' since the mid-season break, we aren't far from clicking back into top gear; especially now Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin are all fit and available to boost our attacking options.
Spurs moved just a point behind us following last week's 1-0 win over Man City, meaning they could momentarily go above us should they beat Leicester in Saturday's 3pm kick-off. However, we're guaranteed to be watching Match of the Day in third should we beat Bournemouth, giving us a big incentive to cash in on Man Utd's draw with Leeds in midweek.
Team news
Alexander Isak has recovered from concussion and Allan Saint-Maximin has been backed to keep his place, but there'll be no Bruno Guimaraes; who won't be back until the Carabao Cup final later this month.
Anthony Gordon has trained well, but Harrison Ashby may miss out again as he builds his fitness. Matt Targett is 'close' to resuming training, meaning this one will come too soon for him, Javier Manquillo (knee) and Emil Krafth (ACL).
For the hosts, Lloyd Kelly, Jack Stephens, Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fredericks and David Brooks are injured. Late calls will be made on Dominic Solanke and Marcus Tavernier, while attacking trio Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traorè could all make their home debuts after catching the eye in last week's 1-0 defeat at Brighton.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
Put simply, I think Eddie Howe will stick with the same side who took on West Ham last weekend.
There's been calls for Anthony Gordon to come in for Allan Saint-Maximin, but the boss defended the Frenchman in his press conference on Friday, revealing that he'll be given a 'window of opportunity' to impress in Bruno's absence.
Alexander Isak is back, however I can't see Callum Wilson being dropped against his former club - especially when he ended his goal drought with a lively display last Saturday.
One player who looks jaded and in need of a rest is Miguel Almiron. He's not looked the same player since the World Cup break, so I'd be tempted to give him a game off and go with Gordon.
At the back, there's no reason to change what's been the best defence in the Premier League this season, with Nick Pope out to keep his 17th clean sheet in all competitions.
Prediction
Bournemouth signed well in the final few days of January, bringing in several dangerous attacker able to bring some much needed dynamism to their previously blunt forward line.
However, this rock-solid Newcastle defence rarely give much away and will soon get back on the goal trail if we can begin to convert our chances at the other end.
It's a huge game for Saint-Maximin, a big moment for Howe against his former club and a massive opportunity to kickstart our push for the Champions League ahead of upcoming clashes with Liverpool and Man Utd.
Wilson and Willock to find the net in a comfortable win for Eddie's Mags.
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-2 Newcastle
