Newcastle Untied need to get revenge against Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.
The Magpies were beaten 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season, with Eddie Howe losing at the home of his former club.
Bournemouth were excellent that day, while Newcastle were poor, as injury and suspension began to hinder them. The only highlight was Lewis Miley’s first Premier League start, and he has gone on to achieve so much since then.
Newcastle United desperately need to beat the Cherries on Saturday, as they look to get back into the conversation for Champions League qualification.
There is no way that will happen if they fail to beat Bournemouth, but Chris Sutton believes it is the Magpies who will come out on top.
Chris Sutton prediction: Newcastle to beat Bournemouth
As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Chris Sutton has tipped Newcastle United to beat Bournemouth 2-1.
“Newcastle’s results have picked up a bit recently but now there is a lot of talk about their sporting director Dan Ashworth going to Manchester United,” he wrote.
“Bournemouth have already beaten them once this season, which was when it all kicked off afterwards as Magpies captain Kieran Trippier had an altercation with his side’s fans.
“I just can’t back against Newcastle at home, though. Their manager Eddie Howe is also facing his old club and he cannot afford to lose to them on his own patch.
“Anthony Gordon is fit for the Magpies, and he will be a threat, while Bournemouth’s form has dropped off a bit this year after they ended 2023 so well.”
A must-win for Newcastle without Callum Wilson
While Newcastle will have Anthony Gordon fit, it is a different story when it comes to the Magpies’ strikers.
Callum Wilson is going to miss out, and could be out of action for the rest of the season after sustaining a pectoral muscle injury during the win over Nottingham Forest. Elsewhere, Alexander Isak is also injured, but there is an outside chance he could return on Saturday.
Regardless, this is a must-win for Newcastle. Even if Gordon does play through the middle, Howe will be eager to put another three points on the board.
The win over Forest was massive, but Newcastle need to build on it. They got a huge win over Aston Villa earlier this month, but did not capitalise on it when they took on Luton.
The Magpies cannot afford for another repeat of that, so hopefully Sutton’s call of a 2-1 win is correct.
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