AFC Bournemouth travel to St James’ Park this weekend for their final Premier League fixture before the international break.
Newcastle United v AFC Bournemouth
Saturday 10th November, 3pm
St James’ Park
Premier League
The Cherries will make the trip north on the same weekend as last year, where a last-minute winner from Steve Cook saw them snatch all three points.
This season, Newcastle are finding life in the Premier League rather tough, with just one win seeing them lie 17th in the Premier League table on six points.
Alongside their one victory, Newcastle have drawn three and lost seven top flight fixtures. They were also knocked out in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with Nottingham Forest running out 3-1 winners.
Last time out
Newcastle United 1-0 Watford
Newcastle’s only win of the season came last week at home to Watford, who are currently going well under manager Javi Gracia.
Ayoze Perez headed in Ki Sung-Yueng’s in-swinging free-kick in the second half to grant them a very important three points.
Following the game, manager Rafa Benitez said the following: “It's important for everyone to see that the team is capable to perform and compete”.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles (Schar 45), Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey (Ki Sung-Yueng 51), Diame, Kenedy, Muto (Perez (45+2), Rondon
2018/19 top scorer: Joselu (two goals)
Team news
Newcastle have Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune out for the game against the Cherries, while Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto all have injury concerns.
For Eddie Howe’s side, Joshua King missed last week’s game against Manchester United and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit for the weekend.
The manager
Rafa Benitez has had an illustrious managerial career, taking charge of Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli.
Joining Newcastle from Real Madrid, he has held the managerial position since March 2016. Unable to save the club from relegation, Benitez sent them back up as champions at the first time of asking in May 2017 and kept them in English football’s top flight last season.
