Paul Merson's message to Eddie Howe and Newcastle vs Bournemouth prediction

Paul Merson believes getting Newcastle United back into Europe next season should be the 'name of the game' for Eddie Howe; even if it's the Europa Conference League.

He feels the Champions League came a 'bit too early' for the team after our 4th-place finish last term and are facing an uphill task to qualify again this year, but he feels the Europa League or Conference League should be our focus, along with ending our long wait for silverware ahead of our FA Cup trip to Blackburn later this month.

The Sky Sports pundit thinks today's meeting with Bournemouth will be a game of goals and expects us to build on our big win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, backing Howe to beat his former club 2-1.

Speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of the 3pm kick off at St James' Park, Merson said: 'Newcastle got a really good result against Forest and I expect them to win once again this weekend. I can see a few goals in this one, so I'm going for a 2-1 home win.

'Getting into Europe should be the name of the game for Eddie Howe and Co. They are a bit behind the eight-ball in the race for a top-four finish, but they still have enough games to secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League or the Conference League. When Newcastle finished fourth last season, I thought it happened a bit too early for them.

'Had they got into one of the other two competitions, they'd have been more comfortable and might have even had a chance of going all the way. They haven't won a trophy since god knows how long and need to get their hands on silverware soon.'

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth