Verdict: Eli Junior Kroupi over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to pile more pressure onto Newcastle this weekend, Bournemouth will travel to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, making history at Wembley 13 months ago as they were crowned EFL Cup champions and securing a first piece of silverware in 70 years, Newcastle opened up the 2025/26 campaign with the mood in their camp at a real high. However, remarkably sat way down in 14th-place and coming under a huge amount of public scrutiny, Eddie Howe’s position at St. James’ Park is now firmly under the microscope. Suffering a late collapse in south London last weekend as they marked their return from March’s international break with a 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace, the former Bournemouth boss has a serious job on his hands. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with an infamous 2-1 defeat at home against arch-rivals Sunderland, Newcastle have shown some glaring defensive issues.
Newcastle Team News
Shown what was a costly second-half booking away at Selhurst Park last weekend, Brazilian international Joelinton will serve a one-match suspension here. Likewise, talismanic skipper Bruno Guimaraes remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and won’t feature on Saturday afternoon.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike in south London last week, Danish international William Osula will be hoping to keep his spot from the start. Left as an unused substitute in the capital, former Brighton defender Dan Burn could be handed a full recall.
Bournemouth
As for the visitors, while Bournemouth might have marked their return from March’s international break with a sensational performance in north London as they secured a 2-1 victory against title contenders Arsenal, fans around the Vitality were left heartbroken this weekend. With influential boss Andoni Iraola announcing that he will be leaving the south coast this summer, Saturday’s guests are rightfully disappointed. However, sat just one-point adrift of finding a route back into the top-half of the Premier League standings, Bournemouth are desperate to sign off the 2025/26 campaign with a flurry. It should also be highlighted, the Cherries have remarkably not suffered a single Premier League defeat on their travels since the end of December. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender at St. James’ Park, Iraola’s men will be smelling the chance to spring another public upset.
Bournemouth Team News
Undergoing knee surgery over the festive period, Bournemouth have confirmed that Dutch international Justin Kluivert will miss the remainder of the season. Likewise, club captain Lewis Cook remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and will not feature here.
Registering a 10th Premier League strike of the season away at Arsenal last weekend, French starlet Eli Junior Kroupi could play a leading role in attack. Putting in a Man of the Match performance in north London and bagging the winner late week, ex-Bristol City starlet Alex Scott will start in the middle of the park.
Newcastle vs Bournemouth Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle and Bournemouth met for an FA Cup showdown on January 10th, the Magpies extended on their adventure following a six-goal thriller at St. James’ Park.
- Newcastle have lost their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-4.
- Including their shock 2-1 victory away at Arsenal last weekend, Bournemouth have not suffered a single Premier League defeat on their travels so far this calendar year.
- Newcastle have failed to register a single domestic clean sheet at St. James’ Park since back on January 7th.
- Howe’s downbeat squad have seen all of their last seven straight matchups on Tyneside finish with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Springing a major upset away at Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend as they marked their return from March’s international break with a 2-1 victory in north London, Bournemouth will be smelling the chance to make another public statement here. With Newcastle losing each of their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-4, Howe’s downbeat squad have also shown some glaring defensive struggles.
Verdict: Eli Junior Kroupi over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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