Newcastle vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Newcastle’s last six Premier League games have all featured at least four goals.
• Bournemouth have failed to score in just one of their 11 league away games this term.
• No team outside the top three have scored more league goals this season than the Magpies tally of 51.

Magpies’ games have been full of goals

Four straight Premier League defeats either side of Christmas left Newcastle in a bit of a hole, but the Magpies have emerged strongly from that slump and taken seven points from their last three matches.

A 3-1 win at Aston Villa, who had not lost at home in the league for almost a year, plainly did wonders for their confidence levels, but the most notable thing about their recent results is the number of goals that their games are generating.

Their last appearance at St James’ Park was a 4-4 draw with Luton, where Eddie Howe’s side had to fight their way to a point from a 4-2 deficit and there have been at least four goals in each of their last six league outings, including last week’s 3-2 triumph at Nottingham Forest.

Howe has injury concerns in attack with doubts surrounding the participation of both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, but his team have scored at least twice in six of their last nine home matches, so the manager will be confident that others will be able to step into the breach.

Expect Cherries to contribute

So another high-scoring game is anticipated at St James’ Park and Bournemouth should be able to contribute as they look to bounce back from last week’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham.

The Cherries lost five of their opening six matches of the campaign under new manager Andoni Iraola but they have found their feet since with their loss at Craven Cottage only the third they have suffered in their last 14 games – a run that began with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in November.

A 3-0 October defeat at Everton has been in only occasion on the road that they haven’t scored this season and they possess one of the league’s most potent strikers in Dominic Solanke, who is finally proving himself as a top-flight performer.

They should more than play their part in an entertaining clash and a correct-score investment on a 2-2 draw could prove profitable.

Gordon may be pushed forward

Howe’s injury concerns could mean that Anthony Gordon plays in a more advanced role for Newcastle and the former Everton midfielder can usually be relied upon to have a couple of efforts on goal at least.

Should he be pushed forward, the chances of him adding to his season tally of seven league goals would increase, so expect him to have a strong impact and contribute to the scoring in a match where both defences are set to be severely tested.