Paul Merson predicts what the score will be between Bournemouth and Newcastle

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Newcastle United are back in action on Sunday.

It was a relatively underwhelming start to the Premier League season for Newcastle last time out, even if three points are all that really matters.

Indeed, Joelinton’s goal at St James’ Park downed a Southampton team who had largely bossed proceedings on Tyneside, even before the controversial red card shown to Fabian Schar.

Now, Eddie Howe takes his side down to former club Bournemouth on Sunday, a game in which summer signing Lloyd Kelly could start against his previous employers too.

The Cherries drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest to kick off their campaign and beat Newcastle on the south coast last year, when Kieran Trippier was involved in something of an argument with a disgruntled travelling Toon supporter.

Certainly a difficult game for Newcastle, the predictions are rolling in.

Paul Merson has now shared his.

Paul Merson predicts what the score will be between Bournemouth and Newcastle this weekend

Merson actually predicted a 2-0 away win for Newcastle, citing the loss of goals through Dominic Solanke’s departure to Tottenham as a reason as to why the hosts will struggle.

“Even though Newcastle have good players, I’ve got a feeling they’ll fall short this season,” he wrote for Sportskeeda.

“But this fixture against Bournemouth shouldn’t be a difficult one to navigate for them.”

Newcastle backed to beat Bournemouth curse

Newcastle haven’t actually beaten Bournemouth in the Premier League since Howe’s appointment in 2021.

Still, Chris Sutton has also backed them for a victory, albeit what really matters is events on the pitch.

Three points here and six on the board for the season already would represent a strong start for Newcastle, even if an expected one given their opening two fixtures.

While it has been a frustrating summer transfer window, taking maximum points before a tricky game against Tottenham before the international break would be a pretty perfect start to the campaign.

Newcastle struggled away from home last season. It’s time to address that this time around.