Newcastle vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Newcastle have conceded 11 goals in three games
• Bournemouth have scored at least twice in four of the last six head-to-head meetings
• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 13 games in normal time

Countdown begins for departing Iraloa

Andoni Iraola announced he will step down as Bournemouth boss earlier this week and his first fixture since he confirmed his future plans is a trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

There are also question marks surrounding the future of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who potentially needs a strong finish to the season if he is to remain in charge.

Seventh place will be enough for European qualification this season and eighth may be enough, so both of these teams are still very much in the hunt for qualification.

Newcastle are down in 14th spot but they’re only five points adrift of Brentford in seventh and the Cherries are three points better off in 11th place.

Goals markets the best starting point

Bournemouth are in far better form than their hosts as they are on a 13-game unbeaten run in normal time across all competitions, while the Magpies are looking to half a three-game losing run.

The Cherries are a big price to win and offer enough value to be backable in the double chance market, but it is always hard to judge how a team will respond to a big change and I’m going to instead focus on the goals markets after Iraola’s announcement.

Newcastle’s defence has been woeful over the last few weeks and over 1.5 teams goals for Bournemouth looks a strong option.

Howe’s men shipped seven in the second leg of their tie with Barcelona and have conceded twice against bitter rivals Sunderland and Crystal Palace since – and the Cherries have outscored both the Black Cats and the Eagles this season.

Bournemouth have scored twice against Arsenal last time out and twice against Manchester United in the previous round of fixtures. They also scored twice in normal time when they visited St James’ Park for an FA Cup tie back in January in a run for Newcastle that has seen then ship at least two goals in nine of their last 12 home games.

Spoils could be shared on Tyneside

Newcastle may not be able to end their losing streak with a win but they can take at least a share of the spoils and a 2-2 draw has a chance. There was a hint of fortune about Bournemouth’s win at Arsenal last time out and they are the division’s draw specialists with 15 of their 32 games finishing level, including seven of their 16 trips.

Howe’s side have lost six of their last 10 home games but they have had a tough run of games. These sides have already drawn twice this season and they could make it a hat-trick of stalemates with a repeat of their 2-2 FA Cup draw, which Newcastle won on penalties.

Eli Junior Kroupi is the form man in the Bournemouth attack as he has scored in each of the Cherries’ last two games against United and the Gunners. The 19-year-old now has 10 goals in 27 league appearances this season and he looks a decent candidate for an anytime effort on Saturday.