Newcastle United would absolutely love a routine win against Bournemouth on Saturday night.
The Magpies travel to the south coast after their Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, as Eddie Howe returns to Bournemouth.
It will be a homecoming for the Newcastle manager, and a chance for his side to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games.
They will face a side that is struggling, with Bournemouth beginning the weekend in the relegation zone. The Cherries have only got six points so far, having recorded just one win.
However, Bournemouth might feel as if they can spring a surprise given how depleted the Newcastle squad is. Callum Wilson is the latest injury doubt due to a hamstring problem, while Bruno Guimaraes is suspended for the game at the Vitality Stadium.
It could be the perfect time for Bournemouth to play Newcastle, but pundit Paul Merson disagrees. He believes it will be a convincing win for the Magpies, despite Howe’s injury crisis and suspensions.
Paul Merson predicts Newcastle will batter Bournemouth
As part of his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted the results of every Premier League game this weekend. He believes that Newcastle are going to be victorious, backing the Magpies to win 3-0 away from home.
“Newcastle have played some tough games already this season,” he said.
“They have squared off against some top teams in the early stages of the new campaign. Their fixtures haven’t been too kind. Meanwhile, the likes of Arsenal, and Manchester City have had a decent mix of fixtures.
“But for the Magpies, it has been a patch of really tough games followed by rather easy ones. So when they’re up against it, they are really up against it.
“Bournemouth are not playing well this season. They got pummelled by Manchester City last weekend and I don’t see them posing much threat to Newcastle this weekend.”
That would be a perfect night for Eddie Howe and Newcastle
A 3-0 win on the road would be absolute perfection. When you consider the amount of players who are unavailable, the intense period of games we have had, the travelling to Germany and the fact it is away from home, every Toon fan would snap your hand off for a 3-0 win right now.
Merson thinks it will be pretty comfortable for Newcastle, but Dean Court is a ground they struggled at last season. Howe managed to rescue a 1-1 draw back at his old stomping ground, with Miguel Almiron securing a point for his side.
Newcastle were not great on that night, and will need to play much better on this occasion. Just like last time, they will be without talisman Bruno Guimaraes, but Merson does not think that will matter.
I wish I could share his confidence, but this is going to be a very tough game given how battered our squad is right now.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
