AFC Bournemouth vs Newcastle United: Lee Ryder's Premier League prediction

It was a July night in 2020 when Newcastle United picked up an impressive 4-1 win over the Cherries as the Project Restart continued in style for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe and Bournemouth weren't quite in such a great place as the South Coast club's excellent run in the top-flight started to come to an end. But there is usually no such thing as a dull game between these two teams when they get it together at the 113-year-old venue.

Indeed, the previous two visits resulted in helter-skelter 2-2 draws as first Newcastle surrendered a 2-0 lead in 2018 after Dwight Gayle's double with Adam Smith and Dan Gosling getting the goals. And then a year later, Bournemouth threw it away as Matt Ritchie scored a late equaliser to snare a 2-2 tie in the last minute.

Lee Ryder's prediction

Newcastle face a Bournemouth team that haven't won since November and before the World Cup. The Cherries are winless in eight matches and find themselves in a relegation battle.

The Magpies will also have the golden opportunity to ask questions of a defence that has leaked 43 goals in the Premier League this season. With Allan Saint-Maximin heading back to a ground where he once got a hat-trick of assists and with the benefit of a 69-minute run out last weekend, this could be a big day for the Magpies and the Frenchman on the South Coast.

I think Newcastle will pick up the points and test that Cherries defence to the full. I'll go for a 3-1 win.

Referee

Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Last seen in charge of a Newcastle game when he sent off Duje Ćaleta-Car in the Carabao Cup semi-finals at Southampton.

Betting

Newcastle are the big favourites at 8/15 while Bournemouth are 11/2. The draw is 3/1 (Bet 365).

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