Newcastle United are on the road again, as they follow up their Champions League journey to Dortmund with a Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
After seeing his side lose in Germany, Eddie Howe will now take his Newcastle team to the home of his previous employers. Howe is adored at Bournemouth, and how they would wish to have him back amid their current struggles.
The Cherries have endured a tough start to the season, with Andoni Iraola’s side 18th in the league with just six points.
However, they may see the game against Newcastle as a chance to spring a surprise. The Magpies have so many players that are unavailable, and the squad could be even more depleted on Saturday.
Bruno Guimaraes is suspended for the game against Bournemouth, while Callum Wilson is also a doubt after coming off at half time in the defeat to Dortmund.
Newcastle will be nowhere near full strength, and that could potentially lead to a surprise result.
Gary Neville thinks Newcastle will draw with Bournemouth.
That is the view of Gary Neville, who has predicted the score between
Bournemouth and Newcastle on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast.
Ian Wright has backed Newcastle to win 2-0, but Neville actually thinks it will be a draw.
“It’s been a tough week for Newcastle,” he said.
“Travelling, it’s about three days to get to Bournemouth from Newcastle. I don’t think it will be 2-0. I think Bournemouth will score. A draw is a controversial result. I’d go 2-2.”
A draw would be disappointing for Newcastle
While Newcastle’s squad is severely stretched right now, it is fair to say that a draw with Bournemouth on Saturday would be a disappointing result.
For the fourth time in a row, Newcastle are away from home after a Champions League tie. Their previous two produced 2-2 draws with West Ham and Wolves, but an identical result against Bournemouth would be underwhelming.
Newcastle’s away form is not great this season. We have only won once away from St James’ Park, and that was the 8-0 triumph over Sheffield United – which came after a Champions League game.
A repeat of something like that would be much more palatable for the Toon Army, who want to witness a positive result ahead of yet another international break.
Ian Wright thinks they will get one, but Gary Neville does not.
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