Newcastle are aiming to make it back-to-back wins when Bournemouth arrive at St James’ Park this weekend.
The Magpies got a dramatic 1-0 victory last week, beating Watford to get their first three points of the season.
This week we face a similar calibre of opposition, but Rafa Benitez will have to make multiple forced changes to his side due to injury.
Big chance for Schar against Bournemouth
Captain Jamaal Lascelles is set to miss out due to injury. The defender came off at half time last week, and was replaced by Fabian Schar.
Despite limited action in a Newcastle shirt, the Swiss international was sensational, and many fans are excited to see him get a chance from the start.
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He’ll partner Federico Fernandez at centre-back, with Paul Dummett and DeAndre Yedlin continuing at full-back.
Will Ki be the key again?
Another player we lost to injury last week was Jonjo Shelvey.
It looked like a devastating blow at the time, but it actually played into Newcastle’s hands. Ki Sung-yueng came on in his place, and put in a sublime performance.
The South Korean midfielder got his foot on the ball and dictated the play, and created the winner for Ayoze Perez. With Shelvey set to miss out, Ki will get a well deserved chance from the off against Bournemouth, playing alongside Mo Diame.
Return of Ayoze
He was dropped to the bench, but Perez still managed to be the hero against Watford.
The Spaniard flicked a header towards goal and past Ben Foster to give the Magpies the win. Perez has been less than impressive this season, but will likely be recalled in place of Yoshinori Muto.
The Japanese forward was withdrawn just before the break last week, and won’t be fit to keep his place in the starting XI. Therefore, it’s up to Perez to strike up a partnership with Salomon Rondon.
Predicted lineup to face Bournemouth: Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett; Ritchie, Ki, Diame, Kenedy; Perez, Rondon