Newcastle, striving to mirror their impressive performance from the last season, has encountered hurdles, notably a spate of injuries that have prevented Eddie Howe's team from reaching the anticipated heights.
This Saturday at St. James' Park, a Premier League clash unfolds as 7th placed Newcastle United welcomes 13th placed Bournemouth.
Despite these challenges, the Magpies have begun to find their rhythm, particularly highlighted by their recent 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Three in three for Fab! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9sqOExvWpn— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 11, 2024
Three in three for Fab! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9sqOExvWpn
This win displayed Newcastle's offensive capabilities, though concerns linger about their defense which conceded two goals in the same match.
On the other side, Bournemouth, under the stewardship of Andoni Iraola, showed promise after a rocky start to the season.
Yet, the Cherries have seen their form dip recently, going winless in their last three games and consistently conceding in their away matches.
Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth’s leading goal scorer, stands out as a significant threat to Newcastle’s defense, boasting an impressive tally that places him just behind Erling Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts.
The historical encounters between these two sides have mostly tilted in Newcastle's favor, with Bournemouth managing just one win in their last six Premier League matchups against the Magpies.
This record sets the stage for an intriguing battle, with Newcastle maintaining a strong record at home, undefeated in 26 of their last 31 Premier League games at St. James' Park.
Conversely, Bournemouth’s away form has been a cause for concern, with the team conceding an average of 2.21 goals in their away fixtures across all competitions.
Injury woes have not spared either team. Newcastle will be without several key players, including Matt Targett, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Nick Pope, and Alexander Isak, mostly sidelined with long-term injuries.
Bournemouth, too, faces absences, with Phillip Billing suspended and James Hill, Tyler Adams, and Maximillian Aarons out injured.
Given the current dynamics and despite the injury concerns, the match is anticipated to be a high-scoring thriller.
Forebet predicts a victory for Newcastle, capitalizing on their formidable home form to secure three points in what promises to be an exhilarating encounter at St. James' Park.