Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola says whether Newcastle United are in the Premier League title race

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Newcastle United are looking to make it 10 consecutive wins on Saturday.

It has been a fantastic few weeks for Newcastle who are in an amazing run of form which fans haven’t seen in recent years.

Newcastle face Bournemouth on Saturday where Eddie Howe has the opportunity to do something no other Toon boss has ever done before. Win 10 games in a row.

The pressure is on Howe to deliver at St James’ Park, but he’ll be acting like it’s just another game to not get ahead of himself. Newcastle’s win against Wolves put his record level with Kevin Keegan and Rafael Benitez on nine.

Newcastle sit fourth in the Premier League table, nine points off league leaders Liverpool who also have a game in hand.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	20	14	5	1	48	20	28	47
2	ArsenalArsenal	21	12	7	2	41	19	22	43
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	21	12	5	4	30	20	10	41
4	NewcastleNewcastle	21	11	5	5	37	22	15	38
5	ChelseaChelsea	21	10	7	4	41	26	15	37
6	Man CityManchester City	21	10	5	6	38	29	9	35

There was speculation over whether Fabian Schar would play on Saturday after missing the Wolves game through illness. Howe confirmed Schar took part in Newcastle training on Thursday and they will make a decision on him on Friday.

To add more pressure onto Howe with the record looming. The Toon boss hasn’t beaten Bournemouth in the Premier League since leaving his former club in 2022. His sole win against them came in the Carabao Cup in 2022.

With Newcastle in top form, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has heaped praise on his opponents.

Andoni Iraola believes Newcastle are in the Premier League title race

Bournemouth are in a great run of form in their own right. The Cherries are unbeaten in the last 10 games in all competitions but face a tough challenge to extend that against Newcastle.

The Magpies drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in August. That was during Newcastle’s slow start to the season though.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola took his pre-match press conference on Friday which aired on Bournemouth’s website.

Iraola was asked about his feelings ahead of the visit to St James’ Park and Newcastle’s form.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

“They are flying, they have players in great form especially (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon. Their midfield is super strong, they have a very good squad and almost everyone is available. It’s going to be very tough but we are in a good spot – we finished super strong against Chelsea and we are ready for the challenge.”

Iraola was asked about Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, someone he is close with.

He said: “We don’t speak before the games – there is no communication one to two weeks before we play.

“But we will probably speak after. He is a top coach. Every season he has been there, they are playing very well.”

Finally, he was asked about whether Newcastle are in the Premier League title race. To which he replied: “They are not so far off Arsenal, who are title challengers. It’s not a question for me.”

A win could see Newcastle move up to third in the table. Nottingham Forest face Southampton later in the day so they’ll be favourites to take their place back.

Eddie Howe’s take on Bournemouth

Like Iraola, Howe also took his pre-match press conference which aired on Newcastle’s website.

Howe was asked about Bournemouth and how they’ve performed under Iraola this season.

“I like how they play. They have had some remarkable turnarounds in games where they have been losing and have had a late period of momentum to win.

“Their spirit is undeniable. Very difficult to play against, a really good game, two teams with mirroring styles but it will be two teams trying to win.”

A win would move Newcastle within two points of Arsenal in second place. Alexander Isak is looking to extend his record of consecutive Premier League goals to nine. The Swede broke the existing club record thanks to his brace against Wolves on Wednesday.