Bournemouth (A) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction

After the excitement but ultimate disappointment from Thursday night, there is little time to rest for Eddie Howe's Mags as we return to Premier League action at Bournemouth today.

The 2-1 defeat to Barcelona was a lesson in finishing and fine margins, as two early Newcastle misses were punished by a pair of quality finishes by Marcus Rashford at the same end.

But, while there is no shame in losing narrowly to one of the best sides in Europe on a night where we left with plenty of positives, we have a big test on our hands at 2pm today as an in-form Bournemouth stands in our way less than 48 hours on from our Champions League opener.

The Cherries have won three straight games since that 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on the opening day, while Newcastle are looking to make it back-to-back wins in the league after beating Wolves 1-0 last Saturday.

Team news

Anthony Gordon is suspended for the final time as he completes his three-game ban, Fabian Schar is out through concussion, while Yoane Wissa (knee) and Aaron Ramsey (ankle) remain absent.

Jacob Murphy has had a slight achilles issue, revealed Howe on Thursday night, while Kieran Trippier could be rested after he came off with a slight issue late on against Barcelona.

For the Cherries, right-back Adam Smith looks set to miss out, but the home side are expecting to have Bafode Diakite and Ryan Christie available after both missed their 2-1 win over Brighton last weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiWSjo_exi4&t=10s

Predicted XI

(4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Willock– Murphy, Woltemade, Elanga. 

I think we'll see SIX changes for this one, seeing Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Willock, Murphy and Woltemade replace Schar, Burn, Trippier, Joelinton, Barnes and Gordon.

Schar's absence makes Thiaw a certainty after his impressive cameo against Barca, Trippier won't start three times in a week, giving Hall a chance to make his comeback, Burn could probably do with a rest and I think now could also be a good time to manage Joelinton's minutes considering he hasn't long come back from injury, allowing Willock to come in.

In attack, Murphy and Woltemade looks set to return after both dropped to the bench against Barcelona and linked up well against Wolves, and I'm hoping to see Elanga come in down the left, allowing him to build on his lively display in midweek and replace an out of sorts Barnes.

Match prediction

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about this one, with Bournemouth away an extremely tough test right on the back of Thursday night's big effort against Barcelona.

The longest away trip in the league, a side we've struggled to beat since Andoni Iraola came in, a team in form and one who didn't have a midweek game while we gave our all in our Champions League opener less than 48 hours ago.

Rotation could be just what we need and I'm hoping the likes of Thiaw, Hall, Willock and Woltemade all step up. On that basis, I'll go for a 2-2 draw and perhaps a decent point in the circumstances.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Newcastle

Howay the lads!