- Newcastle United predicted XI to take on Bournemouth
- Eddie Howe has big decisions to make
- Bruno Guimaraes to return from injury?
This weekend’s fixture sees Newcastle United welcome Andoni Iraola, who is ironically currently heavily speculated to replace Eddie Howe, to St James’ Park.
It is perhaps the worst game possible for the Magpies given the current situation, with Bournemouth having not tasted Premier League defeat on Tyneside since July 2020. The Cherries have largely become Newcastle’s bogey team in recent years.
The Geordie faithful can’t catch a break at the minute, and reminiscing on the 4-1 battering Bournemouth handed Howe’s men in this fixture last season will do nothing to curb the perplexing predicament the club is currently in.
Eddie Howe has decisions to make
A win here feels almost imperative for Eddie Howe, and he has some big decisions to make ahead of the fixture.
Bruno Guimaraes appears set to return to the squad; whether that is in a starting role is yet to be seen, but it feels as if there is no desire to rush him back given the current situation. Howe spoke on Guimaraes in today’s press conference.
Howe also faces a decision on Anthony Gordon, with the winger facing a mass of speculation around his future this week that suggests his head may have been turned by Bayern Munich interest.
Nick Woltemade is still a major talking point too, with the German only receiving 10 minutes against Crystal Palace. Given William Osula’s bright performance, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Woltemade take the bench again here.
Newcastle United predicted lineup vs Bournemouth
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
There shouldn’t be much pondering done over the goalkeeper position for this game.
Ramsdale has largely looked solid since taking over from the shaky Nick Pope, and there doesn’t appear to be any substantiated reason why another switch would be made here.
Defence: Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall
The defence that started against Crystal Palace will likely continue here.
Thiaw’s and Hall’s positions are likely the safest of the four, despite the struggles the German had with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sven Botman replaced by Dan Burn here, especially given Howe’s history with taking players out of the firing line once they make a mistake, as Botman did against Palace. But the Dutchman should, in theory, keep his place.
Similarly, Trippier could get a start in front of Livramento here, with the England international looking miles off the pace last time out, but Howe usually favours stability at the back, so Livramento should just about retain his place.
Midfield: Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock
With Joelinton beginning that two-game suspension for accumulating 10 yellow cards, it almost feels like a toss-up between Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock here.
Howe might favour Willock, despite the quality Ramsey has shown in recent weeks, mainly for his energy and running against the high-intensity system of Iraola’s side.
Miley and Tonali were two of the brighter performers against Palace and will likely continue their pairing in the starting XI. The rotations between the two in that central area could cause problems for Bournemouth’s high press.
Forwards: Anthony Elanga, William Osula, Anthony Gordon
Despite the speculation around his name, Gordon will probably start again here. Harvey Barnes would be the best positioned to leapfrog Gordon, but it doesn’t seem like he has Howe’s trust right now, and Gordon usually gets the nod no matter the circumstances.
Osula had by far the best Newcastle player against Palace; he was a nuisance throughout for the Eagles’ backline with his energy causing problems.
The Dane appears the most likely candidate of the forwards to line up against Iraola’s side, with his ability to both run in behind and hold the ball up being best suited to combat the press Bournemouth will employ.
If Howe takes any notice of the Palace game, Elanga should get the nod over Jacob Murphy. Murphy was unable to affect the game in a positive way last weekend and lost the ball half as many times as he touched the ball.
Elanga’s pace in behind may lead him to do well against Bournemouth too, and it seems a no-brainer to put the Swede in for this game.
In other news, Bournemouth agree deal for new manager ahead of Newcastle United clash.
