Bournemouth (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction
The Toon turnaround shows no sign of slowing down, as Newcastle have gone from consistently inconsistent, struggling for goals and shipping too many to being talked about (albeit prematurely) in the title race.
We have the best striker on the planet, arguably the best left side in the country, a defence that's conceded just three goals in our run of nine-straight wins and a midfield that looks perfectly balanced after Bruno and Tonali swapped roles.
We may not sign anyone this month, but it may not matter if we can keep the momentum going on the pitch - although this weekend's early kick-off with Bournemouth will not be easy.
Eddie Howe can be the first Toon boss to win 10-straight games with a victory, but he's never beaten his former club, who are on an incredible run themselves, being unbeaten in their last 10 and losing just one of their last seven on the road.
The 3-0 win over Wolves flattered us slightly - the visitors should've scored at least one or two - although it's often a sign of a good side to pick up comfortable victories while playing below your best. That said, I sense we'll have to be better against Bournemouth to keep them out.
Howe’s pre-match comments
On the potential of 10-straight wins - "We have actually been quite relaxed during this run, we have not talked about it, it is just about going onto the next game. Of course, we want to win and keep the run going as long as we can, but it is always about how we play in the next match."
On the players' mindset - "The players have been very mature in their response in this winning run, the players are seeing this as an expectation they have rather than surpassing expectations. They are keeping the focus. There is a belief in the squad we have good players, and we can win games, for us it is just about remaining focused and looking ahead to the next game."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BhjW4AWcbk&t=403s
Team news
Fabian Schar missed the Wolves win through illness and is still "not 100%", despite returning to training on Thursday. Miguel Almiron may be closing in on a move back to Atlanta United, but Howe is still expecting him to be in the squad, as of Friday morning.
Nick Pope will be "close" for next week's trip to Southampton and Callum Wilson is targeting a return early next month. Jamaal Lascelles is still a few months away.
Bournemouth will be without a recognised right-back - great news potentially for Anthony Gordon - and senior striker, with NINE players currently ruled out in Evanilson, Enes Unal, Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, James Hill, Adam Smith and Marcus Tavernier.
Predicted line-up
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
This feels like one of the most straightforward predicted line-ups of the season.
It may be our second game in the space of four days, but with many players rested against Bromley last weekend and Schar still struggling slightly, the team appears to pick itself.
Our back four conceded a few too many chances to Wolves on Wednesday but looks settled on Botman's return, with the Dutchman coming through his return to fitness with flying colours so far, Burn rock solid and both full-backs flying.
The midfield is settled and looks perfectly balanced and our front three is on fire, with Isak chasing his Jamie Vardy's record - he'll match it if he scores against Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham - and Gordon bagging five in his last six games.
Match prediction
We're flying, full of confidence and have scored three goals or more in our last six home games, but I do think this will be a tough test.
I think we'll see a few goals and don't think we'll keep them out - they've blanked just ONCE in their last 15 games. However, I back us to get the job done, Isak to score again and Howe to set a new 10-game record to boost our top-four hopes even further.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth
Howay the lads!
