Bournemouth vs Newcastle United

February 17, 2024

Newcastle United take on Bournemouth at St. James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies suffered a 2-0 defeat on their trip to the south coast in November, courtesy of two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke. It was an impactful game that ended Newcastle's seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, while the Cherries climbed out of the bottom three.

All in all, Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last four home matches with Bournemouth in all competitions (3-1-0). However, the Cherries had won back-to-back league games at St. James' Park before that - 3-1 in March 2016 and 1-0 in November 2017.

Newcastle United Betting Preview (-105 at Everygame)

Eddie Howe's men claimed a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend, which was a proper fightback following their Boxing Day defeat at St. James' Park in the reverse fixture.

Having finished fourth last season, Newcastle United must be impeccable from now on if they are to remain in position to play European football next season. And finishing inside the Champions League spots seems to be an extremely unlikely scenario.

They couldn't keep up with the pace of playing in multiple competitions, including the Champions League, where they were in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. Moreover, the ever-growing number of injuries was a huge factor in Newcastle's downfall this season but things are gradually improving over the past couple of weeks.

The Magpies are bidding to claim their first home win in two months as they last beat Fulham 3-0 in the Premier League on 16 December.

However, Eddie Howe's men played only three matches at St. James' Park within the last two months and they lost two of them, conceding 10 goals over the period. More than they have conceded in the previous 13 home games this season.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United have won their last four away games in all competitions - since a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on New Year's Day.

Bruno Guimaraes scored twice at The City Ground last time out but the Brazilian midfielder is arguably the most influential figure in Eddie Howe's system as he takes on a playmaker role with his vision and passing ability.

Callum Wilson is now facing another long spell on the sidelines, so Eddie Howe needs Alexander Isak to remain fully fit more than ever. However, the Swedish forward is also making good progress after picking up an injury in the 3-1 victory at Aston Villa last month, but Saturday's game could come too soon for him.

With Wilson and Isak both sidelined, Anthony Gordon looks set to lead the line for Newcastle against Bournemouth tomorrow.

In another anticipated rotation, Harvey Barnes could be handed his first start since September after the England winger made two substitute appearances since recovering from a long-term foot injury. Barnes also scored his first goal since the opening day of the season (when he scored in the 5-1 thumping of Aston Villa) when he leveled the score in a spectacular 4-4 draw with Luton Town earlier this month.

Elsewhere, Matt Targett (hamstring), Elliot Anderson (back) and Joe Willock (calf) are all closing in on a return, while first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope (shoulder injury) and Sandro Tonali (suspension) remain long-term absentees.

Bournemouth Betting Preview (+245 at Everygame)

The Cherries travel to Newcastle to face Eddie Howe's side, who are trying to build on their recent form.

After a remarkable form until their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Eve, Bournemouth are now winless in five league games and are set for two challenging matches against Newcastle United (away) and Manchester City at home next weekend.

All in all, Bournemouth managed a seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League (winning six of those games) between 11 November and Boxing Day. As a result, Andoni Iraola's side sit 8 points clear of the relegation zone, also having a game in hand over Everton in 18^th.

So far so good, it looks like Bournemouth will avoid the second season syndrome. Andoni Iraola's side would probably enjoy a comfortable second season in the top-flight as long as Dominic Solanke remains fit for the remainder of the campaign.

Dominic Solanke enjoys his most prolific campaign in the Premier League, with the 26-year-old forward bagging 13 goals in 23 top-flight appearances for the Cherries. Solanke also scored a brace when Bournemouth beat Newcastle at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season.

Denmark midfielder Philip Billing will serve the second of his three-game suspension this weekend, so Iraola could stick with Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, and Alex Scott in a three-man midfield, though Justin Kluivert will be pushing to return to the starting line-up.

Elsewhere, Romain Faivre will miss the trip to Tyneside through illness, while Darren Randolph (illness), James Hill (ankle), Ryan Fredericks (calf), as well as Max Aarons and Tyler Adams (both thigh) are also ruled out for Bournemouth.

Possible Starting Lineups of Newcastle United and Bournemouth

Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka - Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn - Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley - Miguel Almiron, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes. (4-3-3-)

Bournemouth: Neto - Adam Smith, Illya Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Milos Kerkez - Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie - Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo - Dominic Solanke. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

The Magpies already conceded 39 goals in the Premier League this term - six more than they did during the entire 2022/23 campaign.

Newcastle United's leaky backline could struggle to keep the Cherries quiet in the final third, but Eddie Howe could demand a more conservative approach for this game or they can still do enough to outscore their opponents en route to claiming three important points, even if they don't have a natural striker on the pitch.

Spooky Express Free Play: Newcastle United -105 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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