Bournemouth (A): Pre-match thoughts, preferred XI, team news & predicted line-ups

Whilst the win over Man Utd was massive and a much needed confidence boost for the team, the two week break and Islam Slimani injury blow has us coming into this one with a bit less momentum than I hoped we’d have.
 
That being said, this poses a huge opportunity for us to get another 3 points on the board against a Bournemouth side who lost 4-1 at Bournemouth in their last league outing.
 
It is worth mentioning, however, that they were unbeaten in their last 7 before that one, with their impressive run including wins at home to Arsenal and away to Chelsea. I’m fully expecting them to react from their recent hammering at Huddersfield, I just hope we can play with the same sort of intensity and heart that was shown two weeks ago at St James’ Park.
 
Impressive displays from the likes of Lascelles, Dummett, Kenedy and Diame have occurred regularly over the past few weeks, but it’s having the likes of Dubravka, Lejeune, Shelvey, Ritchie and Gayle stepping up once again today that could be key.
 
Let’s hope we see that again today. This will be a very different game to the one we saw at St James’ a few weeks ago, however it’s our first of 11 cup finals in our bid to beat the drop.
 
We can’t afford to take a very capable Bournemouth side lightly and must be at it from the off – especially when there’s a few sides around us likely to pick up points this weekend with (Brighton vs Swansea / West Brom vs Huddersfield) and the fact that a trip to Anfield is next up for us..

Preferred XI

I’d make just one change from the side that beat Man Utd and that’d be Merino coming in for Perez. An unlikely alteration from Rafa, but I think it could work well..

Perez put in a decent shift against Man Utd, but still frustrated even though just about everyone else was at it that day. He’s ‘busy’, but his output isn’t enough – and today’s game could be decided by making the most of the big moments each side are presented with.

I also feel we should look at finding a place for Merino in the side. I watched him play in an advanced role for Spain U-21’s and he was brilliant. He has that quality on the ball and ability to drop the shoulder and glide past players, so I can see him being more than capable of playing ahead of the Shelvey and Diame.

I’m not backing on Benitez making this change, but I think it could work well.

Predicted NUFC XI – (4-2-3-1) – Dubravka– Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett – Diame, Shelvey – Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy–  Gayle

 

 

The Opposition

A few to watch our for today:

Callum Wilson – On his day he’s very difficult to deal with. Pace, power and an eye for goal.

Lewis Cook – A few Cherries fans have told me that England should be looking at this kid. They rate him highly so he’s one to watch in midfield.

Charlie Daniels – An attack minded wing-back whose got a quality left foot. Yedlin and Ritchie will need to be on their guard.

Nathan Ake – He’s not big for a centre-back but he’s an impressive athlete, good on the ball and a danger from corners.

 

Predicted B’mouth XI – (3-4-2-1) – Begovic – Francis, Cook, Ake – Fraser, Gosling, Cook, Daniels – Ibe, Stanislas – Wilson.

For an inside look into this weekend’s opponents, take a look at the latest edition of the ‘Opposition Opinion’ . A great insight into today’s opponents from a Bournemouth fan.

 

Form

Newcastle – 13th (28 pts) – Last 5 in the league – Won: 1 / Drawn: 3 / Lost: 1

Bournemouth – 10th (31 pts) – Last 5 in the league – Won: 3 / Drawn: 1 / Lost: 1

 

Team news

Benitez confirmed Islam Slimani is OUT of this one, with the Algerian set for at least another two weeks on the sidelines.

Ciaran Clark is back in contention after overcoming a knee injury, however Jesus Gamez remains out (as ever).

For Eddie Howe, Jermaine Defoe is back in contention, although he’s unlikely to come in from the start – even if he does have a worryingly good goal record against us recently.

 

Match Prediction

Bournemouth are a dangerous side when they have their tails up, with their recent home win over Arsenal or 3-0 win at Stamford bridge proving that they can blow teams away when they’re ‘at it’.

That being said, they can be got at (as Huddersfield’s 4-1 win proved) if you unsettle them early, get in their faces and force mistakes out of them.

I don’t see why we can’t come away with all three points if the players put in another huge shifts and carefully follow Rafa’s precise game plan, however I think this one might be a draw.

I see us coming out the traps quickly and taking the lead but failing to hold onto a lead. We don’t seem to have that killer instinct and second goal in us (especially without Slimani).

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle

Howay the lads!

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

70 thoughts on “Bournemouth (A): Pre-match thoughts, preferred XI, team news & predicted line-ups

  1. Cheers Olly, yeah I would try Merino there too. Gonna be a tense one I think and I agree I have gone for 1.1 too unless Defoe starts in which case I see them winning.

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  2. Really frustrating about Slimani, he could of been the difference today, lets hope Gayle and Perez have their shooting boots on.

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  3. Ice, that is shocking, meant to be a professional footballer and he was on a fair whack too. When you think how much grief some of the other players got that season, Owen got off scot free with just the sicknote tag. If in fact he wasn’t injured but actually protecting his future then that is outrageous and he was truly stealing a living from the club.

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  4. That’s really hacked me off actually, little ****. His goals could of saved us, that’s the reality .

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  5. kimtoon:
    That’s really hacked me off actually, little ****. His goals could of saved us, that’s the reality .

    always boils down to money with Owen,i never ever had any respect for him during his playing days,hes a creep

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  6. Well, back to being nervous again… pissed off about Slimani like. We really need him in th3 team.

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  7. Get in!

    A very typical away performance so far. One day we will keep a 1-0 lead or even add to it. Today…?

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  8. Kimtoon: you listening to Radio Newcastle? I think I prefer Howey to Anderson. Much more positive.

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  9. Oh yes!

    It’s fair to say 2 nil is a dodgy score line. Next goal winner?

    We need to stop them from scoring in the first 15 mins and we will win.

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  10. Get in… 2-0.. that will do for me… pleased for Gayle. Let’s see if he can get his hat trick. Or is that asking for too much? Playing quite ok so far. More of the same in the second half.

    I think our second was a massive mistake by their keeper like, but I’ll take it? In fact he was **** for both our goals.

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  11. Hopefully we don’t rest on our laurels second half, would be idea to get an early third and take away any hope they had. If they get a goal it will get very nervy, anyway after the last time we played them we are owed a result, should never have lost that game what with the wrongly chalked off goal .

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  12. Pardew said he had a bag and a half packed. I know it was a reference to Conte saying he always had a bag packed and was a joke but in his position it was a really stupid thing to say.

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  13. We need this win so, to an extent, we can stop worrying about what other teams do. Saying that, I think WBA are done if they don’t win today.

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  14. Just tired of how many times we do this! But it shows why teams battle against relegation. We need so many chances to score and it bites you!

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  15. And bang on que they get one back, always likely to happen.
    Nervy last 10 mins now.
    I swear if we throw this away I will go nuts, we are better than them, we were in the first game too.

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  16. We ARE better than them, should not be in this position. Need something from this cause Pool will be tough

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  17. A point then but 3 would of been better and a nice early birthday present.
    Oh well, that’s life supporting the Toon I suppose.
    If only Shelvey had scored.

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  18. Eric Sykes:
    You have to wonder about bringing on Hayden and Manquillo.

    In recent games I have seen Hayden has been anonymous and as for Manquillo enough said.

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  19. Absolutely gutted…. we miss an open goal and then throw away a 2 goal lead. I know we drew but that feels like a loss. Down to 15th now…

    Not good enough.

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  20. Mbemba would be a better substitute than either Hayden or Manquillo. When we stop attacking we seem to invite other teams to step up and then panic sets in. This has been a pattern alll season and we end up losing points when we shouldn’t.

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  21. Icedog: Richard Keys said that Scotland had “done the right thing” by appointing McLeish as Manager. What! He ran out on them to go to Brum and then left Brum for Villa. He really is a man of honour 🙂 And a **** Manager, just ask Villa fans about his football.

    Keys has a stick up his **** about British Managers and I bet he thinks Pards didn’t get a fair shake and has him on their show for the WC.

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  22. That one’s on Rafa I’m afraid and possibly Shelvey for missing a sitter. Sometimes Rafa is just too conservative.

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  23. Eric Sykes:
    Icedog: Richard Keys said that Scotland had “done the right thing” by appointing McLeish as Manager. What! He ran out on them to go to Brum and then left Brum for Villa. He really is a man of honour And a **** Manager, just ask Villa fans about his football.

    Keys has a stick up his **** about British Managers and I bet he thinks Pards didn’t get a fair shake and has him on their show for the WC.

    He plays awful footy,he’s only in it for the money would sell his mother,Keys I hate with a passion

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