Newcastle vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Newcastle United have propelled themselves from the middle-of-the-table into the top four ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures as the Magpies now welcome another entertaining and in-form side to St James’ Park with the arrival of AFC Bournemouth.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 18th January, 2025: UK – 12:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – TNT Sports app / US – Universo
Newcastle Team News: Schar faces late test
Ahead of this weekend, Fabian Schar will be assessed. The Switzerland international centre-back has trained this week but has been described by Eddie Howe as 'not 100%' in those training sessions.
Aside from that, Howe has said he expects the same squad from the midweek which means first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is expected to remain unavailable for the hosts this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Unavailable: Pope (Injured), Lascelles (Injured), Barnes (Injured), Wilson (Injured)
Questionable: Schar (Illness)
Bournemouth Team News: Hill injury
In midweek, versatile young English defender James Hill was forced off at Stamford Bridge in a defeat to Chelsea due to a tight hamstring and he faces a late fitness test ahead of this weekend.
The Cherries recently lost both Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injury issues with their injury list also still including the likes of Adam Smith, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier. Kepa Arrizabalaga will return after being ineligible in midweek.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Adams, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara
Unavailable: Senesi (Injured), Smith (Injured), Araujo (Injured), Soler (International duty), Scott (Injured), Tavernier (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured), Evanilson (Injured), Unal (Injured)
Questionable: Hill (Injured)
Newcastle vs Bournemouth Prediction
Newcastle United come into this one on the back of an impressive 3-0 demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek thanks to a brace from Alexander Isak and a goal scored by Anthony Gordon to lift the Magpies into the top four. Eddie Howe’s side have enjoyed a magnificent month or so with that win being their ninth successive victory across all competitions. They now face an AFC Bournemouth side that are on their own good run of form with a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea the other day meaning they themselves are unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions. These are two impressive sides that are playing with confidence and both teams scoring would appear a good bet for this one.
Newcastle vs Bournemouth Tip: Both teams to score
