Newcastle United will be aiming to bounce back from the defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League when they travel to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday to face Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Toon Army extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games last weekend, defeating Arsenal 1-0 on home turf, but failed to build on it against Borussia Dortmund. Eddie Howe’s depleted side lost 2-0 to Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in midweek which left them bottom of Group F in the Champions League.
Howe will seek an immediate response from his boys against his former club Bournemouth, who were dismantled 6-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in their last game.
Newcastle United Team News
Bruno Guimaraes will serve a one-match suspension against Bournemouth after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the latter stages of the victory over Arsenal at St James’ Park.
Callum Wilson is nursing a tight hamstring from the midweek defeat to Dortmund in Germany and is a major doubt to face his former club, while none of Dan Burn (back), Sven Botman (knee), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Alexander Isak (groin), Matt Targett (thigh), Javier Manquillo (groin), Elliot Anderson (back) or Harvey Barnes (ankle) will be back before the international break.
Predicted Newcastle United lineup vs Bournemouth (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Newcastle should continue lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Nick Pope shouldering the goalkeeping duties. He will be keen to enter the international break with a clean sheet.
Defence
Ahead of Pope, Jamaal Lascelles is certain to deputise again for the injured Sven Botman in defence. He will partner Fabian Schar at the heart of Newcastle’s defence, with Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall offering width and energy from the right-back and left-back positions respectively.
The Newcastle back four should be confident enough to neutralise the toothless Bournemouth attack.
Midfield
Bruno Guimaraes’ suspension is a big blow to Newcastle, and his absence should see Sean Longstaff operate in the No.6 role. With Longstaff holding the fort in midfield, Joe Willock and Joelinton should get the license to drive forward with the ball and cause problems for the Bournemouth defence.
The troika of Longstaff, Willock and Joelinton must also take the onus of keeping things tight in the midfield to protect the backline.
Attack
Callum Wilson’s potential absence would leave Eddie Howe without a recognised striker for the trip to Bournemouth, so there is a chance of Miguel Almiron operating as a false 9 on Saturday. Almiron will be supported by Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon from wide areas, as Newcastle hopes to enter the international break on a high.
