Newcastle vs Bournemouth predictions: St James' to stage tame end to thrilling week
Steve Davies
Newcastle have won five home cup games this season
Bournemouth have never reached the FA Cup semi-finals
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Newcastle and Bournemouth chalked up thrilling wins in the Premier League on Wednesday night leaving fans hoping for a repeat at St James' Park in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Cherries make the long trek north after leaving it late to beat Tottenham 3-2, while Newcastle came from behind in added-on time to stun Leeds 4-3.
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Team news
Newcastle have problems at the back with Fabian Schar joining Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth on the sidelines.
The likes of Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Joe Willock can expect recalls, while academy starlets Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar are also set to be involved.
Bournemouth play their first game since Antoine Semenyo's exit while Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert are ruled out by injury.
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The stats
These sides drew 0-0 at the Vitality Stadium in September, one of five draws in the last eight meetings in all competitions.
Newcastle have won three Premier League games in succession and are unbeaten in 12 at St James' Park, recording 10 victories during that run.
Bournemouth snapped an 11-game winless run on Wednesday when they beat Tottenham 3-2 at home.
Newcastle have scored exactly two goals in nine of their last 10 home games.
The Cherries have conceded 29 away goals in the Premier League, the worst record in the top flight this season.
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Prediction
Newcastle and Bournemouth have just emerged unscathed from entertaining midweek fixtures, but that does not necessarily mean a repeat is in store this weekend.
The Magpies delighted their fans when coming from 3-2 down after 90 minutes to pip Leeds 4-3 while Bournemouth left it late to beat Tottenham 3-2 — Manchester City-bound Antoine Semenyo scoring for the final time for the Cherries.
This weekend offers these two clubs a respite which Bournemouth will certainly appreciate courtesy of a gruelling, winless streak which saw them nosedive down the table.
The win over Spurs has lifted spirits but also reminded Andoni Iraola that his smallish squad needs protecting so expect the Spaniard to send for the reserves for this thankless slog up country.
The Cherries have no record of note in the FA Cup and it would be a surprise if Iraola is overly concerned about it this year, especially given the difficulty of the first game.
Newcastle are strong at home where they have scored at least two goals in each of their last 10.
Despite that, ex-Bournemouth boss Howe will also want to give breathers to key players after a hectic festive schedule and going into a month featuring next week's Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester City and a pair of crunch Champions League ties.
Wholesale team changes on both sides could take the sting out of this contest and it may not prove to be the thriller that many are expecting.
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