Written by BillyTheKid
Can AFCB Keep The Winning Run Going?
After beating Brighton and making it three league wins in a row, which is our best start ever in this league, the Cherries are home again, this time it’s another welcome ‘home’ to Eddie Howe when he brings his Newcastle United team to Dean Court on Sunday at 2 pm. The game is also being shown live on Sky. In the games since Andoni Iraola has been manager against Eddie Howe, Iraola has won 2, drawn 2.
AFC Bournemouth v Newcastle United
AFCB Win
AFCB Win
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Draw
Draw
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Newcastle Win
Newcastle Win
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It is just over five years since Eddie Howe left the Cherries. He took a break of just over a year from football. Eddie needed time to ‘recharge his batteries’, spend time with his family (he was/is a football workaholic). It gave him time to reflect on the past and think ahead and plan for the future. Then, when the time was right, he accepted the Newcastle United job as their new manager in November 2021.
This season will be his fifth season in the Premier League with the Magpies. After taking over at the club, they were in 19th place, joint on points with bottom-placed Norwich City after 11 games. At the end of the season, Newcastle United finished 11th. In his first full season in charge, he saw his side finish 4th in the table. The following two seasons, they finished 7th and last season 5th.
They signed Nick Woltemade for a club record fee of £69 million from Stuttgart. Anthony Elanga joined from Nottingham Forest for £55 million, as did Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for £43 million. Malick Thiaw signed from AC Milan for £34 million and Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton. Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool for what was reported to be £125 million, a British record fee.
They started their first game of the 2025-26 season away at Aston Villa, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The next game was at home at St James’ Park against the team that won the Premier League last season, Liverpool, the Merseyside club won 2-3.
Their next game was away against newcomers to the league this season, Leeds United, which finished 0-0. Their most recent game was against Wolves at home, and they won 1-0.
The last time our two sides met was at Dean Court for our first home game of the season. It will best be remembered for the injury time goal scored by Dango Ouattara that was ruled out by VAR and later confirmed the goal should have stood.
The Cherries took the lead in the first half with Marcus Tavernier on the scoresheet. Anthony Gordon equalised in the second half and the game ended 1-1.
In all our home games against Newcastle United, AFCB have W 2, D 4, L 2.
All competitions, AFCB have W 6, D 8, L 7.
AFCB Team News
Ryan Christie and Bafodé Diakité should be available for selection again. After the performance against Brighton, our manager has a strong squad to pick from. Will he make changes?
AFCB Player To Watch
Antoine Semenyo has had a good start to the season, with 3 goals and 2 assists in four games. Alex Scott had a very good game against Brighton, scoring a great goal. Interesting to see how our centre backs handle Woltemade, their big 6’ 6” mobile striker.
Newcastle United Team News
On the injury front, Jacob Ramsey is out with an ankle injury. Anthony Gordon is suspended. Yoane Wissa is out with a knee injury.
Newcastle United Player To Watch
Bruno Guimaraes in midfield is a threat and a very important player for the team. Last season Jacob Murphy, with 12 assists, was way ahead of two other players who had 6 assists. Murphy also was third leading scorer with 8 goals. He provided the cross for 6’ 6” Nick Woltemade to score the only goal against Wolves. Woltemade reported strengths are dribbling and his ability to run with the ball, bit like Haaland.
The Referee
Rob Jones is in charge of this game. We had him four times last season, three games against London clubs. Home against Arsenal and Ipswich Town. Away at Fulham and Chelsea.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Newcastle. They had two home games (Liverpool and Wolves) and two away games (A Villa and Wolves). Newcastle have gained 5 points, which seems a slightly poor return. The xG value for goals scored is 4.42, compared with 3 actual goals; they have conceded 3 with xGc estimating 2.08 goals.
Goals Xg.jpg
Newcastle have had 3 goal scorers (Woltermade, Guimaraes and Osulu with one each). Three players have one assist each (Murphy, Pope, and Livramento).
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. There appears to be no clear pattern and the initial games are confounded by sending off at Villa (Konsa) and Liverpool (Gordon). The Leeds game must show rotation in position rather than 5 men playing in central midfield.
Av Pos.jpg
The following plot compares summary stats of Newcastle and AFCB over the last 4 games.
Newcastle have had more attempts, although AFCB have had more big chances, with Bournemouth scoring more goals. Conceded less attempts and less big chances. AFCB have conceded more goal attempts, more big chances, and more goals (although our opening 4 fixtures have been tough). AFCB have the better xG stat, but a worse xGc. Newcastle have had one more error leading to a chance.
Comparison.png
Possession stats are slightly in Newcastle’s favour, as is the pass completion percentage. The chances created from open play are similar, although there is a difference in chances conceded, where AFCB have been conceding more from set pieces.
Percentages.png
Your say…
Sorry Rodger said…
Worth mentioning that Newcastle have a high-profile home match against Barcelona on Thursday. Hopefully, that will take a lot out of them. – To join the conversation, please click here.