Newcastle v Bournemouth: Match Preview, Team News, Prediction
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
A defeat today could signal the final nail in the coffin for any hopes Eddie Howe has of qualifying for Europe. It would take Bournemouth 6pts ahead with five games to play,
Match Preview
One thing that has been consistent this season is Newcastle's ability to drop points from winning positions happening yet again at Selhurst Park last Saturday,
On the back of losing the derby against Sunderland after taking the lead , Jean-Philippe Mateta struck twice in the final 10 minutes for Crystal Palace to condemn the Magpies to their third loss on the spin in all tournaments.
The resulting drop to 14th in the table - 10pts behind a CL place and 5pts behind a European spot - has seem a cloud of gloom descend on SJP and the inevitable increased speculation about Eddie Howe's future.
Added to that there is the constant talk of elite departures this summer, with Tonali, Tino, and now Gordon heading the list.
To say these are unsettling times for NUFC is an understatement.
That's why a win today is a necessity not only for Eddie Howe, but especially for us fans who desperately need a sign that there might still be hope of a late run into Europe.
Eddie has never beaten his former club in the PL and today would be a great time to put that hoodoo to bed against a manager that some would like to see replace him.
Bournemouth are on an unbeaten run but are currently the PL's draw specialists on 15, with four in their last five games.
Both teams have very similar goals for and against and this has all the makings of a tight closely contested game that will keep the nerves of the Toon fans jangling.
Team News
Jo is suspended but Bruno may be fit to return to the squad.
I'm expecting Will Osula to start up front leaving our £124M ST's to warm the bench yet again - the futures of Woltemade and Wissa are anyone's guess.
Barnes, Elanga and Burn all started on the bench against Palace alongside another big signing in Ramsey. Will Eddie start with any of those today?
Match Prediction
I have to admit I am not going to this game with any degree of confidence or excitement.
A defeat will darken the gloom , and a win might let some light through but it won't clear the clouds.
We need a minimum of four wins to have any chance of a European place and my fiver is going on a 2-1 win for the Toon today.
If we go a couple of goals behind and/or end up losing I fear the atmosphere at SJP could turn ugly.
Last Post: Eddie's Presser
We wont go down even if we lose all 5 , and we wont likely get europe even if we won 4 of the last 5. Either scenario needs too many results elsewhere to align for any of those scenarios to happen.
I think unless eddie quits himself he will see the season out. I dont see him changing tactics . Forget wolte or wissa up front. Eddie wont change the system for either of them .
So he either dramatically turns results around doing the same old thing and sneaks europe ( which wont happen ) or he puts his hands up and accepts the tactics are not working anymore and he needs to try and change it. I…
"You have to understand the rough and the smooth and take both sides of that. We are not delivering what we want and we have to accept that.
"I’m beginning to say the same things as well and that’s a huge frustration for all of us and that’s the players feeling that frustration as much as anyone else.
"I think the late goals, there was no reason for that to happen today.
"The big moment of the game goes against us and there’s a couple of big actions in that goal. We lose headers, we lose our runner, we let a cross come in the box, that’s been systematic of what’s happened in recent games.”
They were some of Eddie's…
Ironically ...catch a glimpse of Eddie training the Bournemouth team at their Magna Traing Complex
The PIF are late to the party
Bournemouth owners built this for £32million nearly half of what we paid for Wissa .
They have happy fit players and attract young talent.
https://youtu.be/sFj4vBOPuiI?si=lv0ocyag2Zuga2hS
Let's hope the summit meeting on Tuesday will announce our plans for the rumoured new Training facility at Woolsington or Arcot Hall ?
That's the way to do it .