As kick-off fast approaches on the South Coast, it’s time to predict which Newcastle United side will take on Bournemouth at 2pm today.

Eddie Howe’s Mags are hoping to make it back-to-back wins in the league after seeing off Wolves 1-0 last weekend, while Andoni Iraola’s Cherries have won three-straight games since that opening day defeat at Anfield.

With rotation expected after the quick turnaround following Thursday night’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, here is the side we’re backing Howe to go with and why:

Predicted XI

(4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Willock– Murphy, Woltemade, Elanga. 

I think we could see SIX changes today, seeing Schar, Burn, Trippier, Joelinton, Barnes and Gordon drop out and Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Willock, Murphy and Woltemade all come into the side.

Fabian Schar (concussion) has been ruled out for our next three games, meaning Malick Thiaw a certainty after his impressive cameo against Barca.

Kieran Trippier won’t start three times in a week, even if his late withdrawal on Thursday was just cramp, giving Lewis Hall a chance to make his comeback, you would think.

Dan Burn could probably do with a rest and I think now could also be a good time to manage Joelinton’s minutes after two games in five days since returning from his injury, meaning Sven Botman and Joe Willock could come in.

Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade look set to return after both dropped to the bench against Barcelona and linked up well against Wolves, although Murphy is one to watch after Howe mentioned his slight achilles issue in midweek.

Anthony Elanga had his best game in a Newcastle shirt on Thursday and I’d like to see him come in down the left, with Anthony Gordon still suspended and Harvey Barnes out of sorts after a poor start to the season.

How do you see us lining up? Let us know in the comments below…