Newcastle vs Bournemouth Prediction: The Cherries to leave a sour taste for the Magpies

Eddie Howe’s Magpies are soaring heading into this Newcastle vs Bournemouth betting preview, overseen by Josh Ingram. Newcastle would likely fancy themselves to get a result against anyone in the country on current form. However, Bournemouth are on a decent run themselves and this fixture might go a long way to deciding who will get European football this season. Newcastle haven’t lost in nine, whilst Bournemouth haven’t lost in ten in all competitions. It should be a tightly contested affair, with both clubs aiming for three points. 

Newcastle vs Bournemouth Prediction: The Cherries to leave a sour taste for the Magpies

England, Premier League, Saturday, 18th, 12:30 (UK)

This fixture looks like it could be the best of the weekend. Two teams who play front-foot attacking football. The suggested selection is more of a pro-Bournemouth angle than being particularly anti-Newcastle, who are on an impressive run. Andoni Iroala has been a sensation on the South Coast since he joined, and this season, they are flying. 

Many would have seen the news of the long-term injuries of Evanilson and Enes Unal and assumed they would regress due to a lack of presence up top. They won’t; the personnel they have in the front four combined have more than enough ability to hurt teams. Antoine Sememyo is the main man in that quartet. His performances all season have been sensational, and many suitors will be watching him closely. The Ghanaian wideman has the numbers to back it up, scoring six times and assisting twice. In their most recent game, the 2-2 draw to Chelsea, he rifled a shot into the near post top corner on the run, showcasing he has almost every finish in his locker. 

Bournemouth are nine unbeaten in the Premier League, and Newcastle have won nine in a row in all competitions. So, it’s two sides bang in form facing each other. Newcastle may have gone on an impressive run, but this season at St James Park, they have failed to win in four out of the ten games they have played. The double chance for the opponents away at Newcastle has legs. 

Both of these teams have rather impressive defensive records this campaign. The Magpies have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League regarding goals conceded (22) and xGA (24.9). Bournemouth has the fifth-best record for goals conceded (25) and the seventh-best xGA (27). There is no significant gap, if any, between them. The opportunity to get Bournemouth and the draw on our side at 2.25 feels generous.

In the xPTS table, Iroala’s team sits third, and this is due to them underperforming their xG. The Cherries are the second-highest underperformers in front of goal. They have scored on 32 occasions, but have accumulated 43.57xG; 11.57 is a huge underperformance, and soon enough, they will get closer to their expected number as the variance will turn in their favour. It should be remembered that they are only four points behind the Magpies. There is not a significant gulf in class between the two. 

Newcastle are a handy outfit, and with Alexander Isak leading the line, they can get results against anyone, as the first leg in the Carabao Cup showed. If his impact is minimised, then this European football-chasing Bournemouth side can go to the North East and get a result. 

• Newcastle vs Bournemouth Prediction: Bournemouth Double Chance (TRACKED BET) & Bournemouth Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.25 & 5.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET) & 2.5/10 (TRACKED BET)

Newcastle vs Bournemouth betting preview odds via bet365 as at 12:00, January 16th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Newcastle vs Bournemouth Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction:  Newcastle are fully fit and a potential injury crisis for Iraola’s Bournemouth

Newcastle’s uptick in form can be linked to the availability of almost all of their key men to run the games they have been winning. Availability is the best trait to hold across your squad as you go into each match with the best chance possible, plus more options off the bench. Injuries to bit-part players like Callum Wilson and Jamal Lascelles aren’t going to have a significant impact, with both seeing limited minutes when fit. The injury Harvey Barnes suffered recently, which puts him out until the middle of February, is more of a concern, as he has been a useful option in the front three, supporting Gordon and Isak. 

The number of players out injured at Bournemouth is growing by the week. The treatment room must be near capacity. Injuries are part of the game. It can feel extra cruel when your leading man up top, Evanilson, injures his Metatarsal, putting him out until April. Alongside the Brazilian, in regards to the Cherries’ attack, backup striker Enes Unal had to have surgery for an ACL injury. A long-term injury right after the other striker gets injured is grim. Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra are all back in February. So they need to keep the options who are fit going forward for at least a few more weeks. 

Newcastle possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Guimares, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerekz; Adams, Christie, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara

Match Stats: Stalemate Between the two teams in recent games

• In the last five games between the two, four have ended in score draws, including three 1-1. The sole win was Bournemouth in the 2023/24 season, courtesy of a Dom Solanke brace to win 2-0.
• Bournemouth won on their first two attempts at St James Park when they were promoted to the Premier League, but in the four attempts since Newcastle has won twice, and there have been two draws in the most recent games in the North East.
• Antony Gordon has scored in the last two meetings between the sides. The young Englishman also scored in his last four games in all competitions.

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