Newcastle vs Bournemouth predictions: Cherries can begin Iraola send off in style
Gareth Freeman
Bournemouth are on a 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League
Newcastle have lost their last three games across all competitions
Recommended bet: Bournemouth to win
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola announced this week that he will leave the south-coast club when the season ends and he will be keen to guide the Cherries into Europe as a parting gift.
As it stands, seventh place is good enough for European qualification and that could filter a little further down the division. That means that both Bournemouth and Newcastle are still in contention for European football despite sitting 11th and 14th respectively.
The Cherries come into Saturday’s game in good form, as they are unbeaten in 13 games inside normal time across all competitions, but Newcastle could do with a boost as they have won just one of their last six and have lost three on the spin.
The latest Newcastle vs Bournemouth odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes has been missing since mid-February for Newcastle with injury and then illness and he remains a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Fabian Schar has been out since January and the visit of Bournemouth will come too soon for the defender, while Emil Krafth is out for the season.
Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert remain sidelined for Bournemouth.
The latest Newcastle vs Bournemouth odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Newcastle have suffered four defeats in their last five home league games.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in seven league meetings with Newcastle (W2, D5).
Over the last 10 games, Bournemouth have picked up 18 points, while Newcastle have accrued just nine over the same period.
The Cherries won 4-1 at St James’ Park in last season’s corresponding fixture.
The latest Newcastle vs Bournemouth odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
The fact Iraola has confirmed he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season does add an element of uncertainty to this game, as it is always tough to judge how a team will react, but on form Bournemouth look worth the risk as underdogs.
Iraola’s decision could even have a positive impact in the short-term and the Cherries are coming into this game after an impressive 2-1 win at league leaders Arsenal, so they will feel more than capable of claiming maximum points at Newcastle.
Bournemouth have taken four points from their last two games against the Gunners and Manchester United, whereas Newcastle are clearly out of sorts.
After seeing their Champions League hopes extinguished in a thrashing to Barcelona, the Magpies have lost to fierce rivals Sunderland and to Crystal Palace in their last two league games.
Those results have increased the pressure on boss Eddie Howe and he has a fairly poor record against his former club.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven league games away from home and they can boost their chances of qualifying for Europe with three points at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Back Bournemouth to win at 49/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Newcastle vs Bournemouth odds are available on LiveScore Bet
