AFC Bournemouth vs Newcastle Predictions

• Newcastle won only one of their four away trips directly following Champions League games in 23/24
• The Magpies won only one of their visits to sides placed 13th or higher last season
• Bournemouth have won three straight games
• The Cherries are unbeaten in five head-to-head clashes after a 4-1 away win in January

Challenging return for Howe

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe returns to former club Bournemouth on Sunday, but the timing isn’t ideal for the Magpies. Newcastle began their Champions League campaign in midweek, returning to the competition after missing out on Europe last year.

Newcastle faced four away trips directly after European games in 2023/24, with their only win coming at a dreadful Sheffield United side. Even without European commitments last term, they won only one visit to the top 13 sides in the Premier League. Making their longest league trip of the season after a draining clash with Barcelona leaves Howe’s side in a difficult position.

Cherries can continue fine start

After pushing Liverpool all the way in their opening game, Bournemouth have won three from three in the Premier League. The Cherries have scored six times across their first four matches, with Antoine Semenyo in fantastic form.

Andoni Iraola’s side are exactly in line with their Expected Goals figure from those four games. They meet a Newcastle side who have good defensive numbers so far, but the Magpies have visited Leeds and goal-shy Aston Villa, while they beat bottom side Wolves 1-0 at home.

Newcastle failed to keep a clean sheet away to a top-half side last season, while both teams scored in eight of 11 visits to the top 12. That includes a 1-1 draw at the Vitality, where Bournemouth won the xG battle. The Cherries followed that up with a 4-1 win at St James’ Park in January, leaving them unbeaten across the last five meetings between the pair.

Woltemade shouldering a heavy burden

Iraola’s side have quickly adpated to their new-look defence, following a huge exodus in the summer. However, his attack is looking settled and sharp, which could give the hosts an edge.

Newcastle remain without Yoane Wissa, while Anthony Gordon remains suspended. With summer signing Jacob Ramsey also out, the visitors have little creativity in midfield. Striker Nick Woltemade delivered in last week’s debut and his physicality should trouble the Bournemouth defence, but he’s shouldering the visitors’ scoring burden against a Bournemouth side who look incredibly strong going forward.

Woltemade can get Newcastle on the scoresheet, but Bournemouth are good value for victory. There’s some appeal in Bournemouth to win and concede, but the hosts appeal against a Magpies side who lost six of nine visits to the top 10 last season.