After an electric start to the season, Bournemouth fans are dreaming of a maiden European campaign, and could take the next step on the road against Newcastle.
Match News and Current Form
Having secured nine points from their opening four Premier League games (W3, L1), Bournemouth have already posted their best-ever start to a top-flight season. Few would bet against the Cherries solidifying their lofty early standing at home, where they’ve won three league games in a row after they downed Brighton 2-1 last weekend. A first Sunday-held league match of the season is unlikely to stifle their momentum either, as Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight games on a Sunday (W3, D4) - a run sparked by a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle last season!
It’s a quick turnaround for Newcastle, who make the arduous 720-mile round trip on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Thursday night in their UEFA Champions League opener. Hitting the road perhaps isn’t ideal then as they look to get back on track, not least because the Magpies are winless in their last five away league games (D3, L2) and failed to score in any of the last three. Boss Eddie Howe at least knows what it takes to win on this ground from his time in charge of Bournemouth, but interestingly he’s never managed to beat the Cherries with another club in the Premier League (D4, L2).
Head-to-Head History
Four of the last six Bournemouth-held H2Hs ended level, but after winning the last H2H 4-1 at St James’ Park back in January, Andoni Iraola’s men could win back-to-back league meetings with Newcastle for just the second time in their history.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only one of Bournemouth’s last six Premier League home games saw over 2.5 goals.
Ahead of the round only two teams had taken more Premier League corners this season than Bournemouth (27).
Pre-round, no side has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Newcastle (3).
Newcastle have scored more than once in just one of their last nine away league games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Iraola could be tempted to include Justin Kluivert after his hat-trick in the last H2H - he’s scored after the break in eight of his last nine league scoring appearances. Fabian Schär was the last player still playing for Newcastle to score an away league goal for the club, and four of his last five away league strikes arrived before half-time.
Adam Smith missed Bournemouth’s win against Brighton last weekend, while Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon will serve the last game of his three-match ban here.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With Newcastle perhaps jaded from midweek, and the hosts riding the crest of a wave, there’s huge value in backing a Bournemouth win.
Author: Chris Wilson