Iraola and the club confirmed in the week that he would depart at the end of his contract, and he’ll be wanting to finish in Dorset on a high.
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He has six games left to earn a place in Europe as a parting gift to Cherries fans, and Bournemouth will hope to pile some more misery on top of Howe and his side.
The Daily Echo previews Saturday’s game.
Team news
Iraola has close to a fully-fit squad to choose from and he was even forced to leave Veljko Milosavljevic out of the squad for the trip to Arsenal.
Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier scores their side's third goal of the game in extra time during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at St James Park, Newcastle. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Julio Soler is back in training but also missed out in north London, while Iraola said that Lewis Cook’s recovery had taken a little longer than anticipated prior to last weekend’s win.
Justin Kluivert, too, remains out, but he is progressing as expected, although the Dutch forward is keen to get back involved particularly with an eye on the World Cup.
Howe will be without Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth for Saturday’s game.
Head-to-head
Howe has never beaten his former club in the Premier League, and while he has two cup wins in meetings between the two, he’ll be wanting to change that record this weekend.
Bournemouth under Iraola have won two, drawn three against the Magpies, with last season’s 4-1 win at St James’ Park the pick of those games.
Bournemouth's Alex Scott celebrates with Evanilson after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at St James Park, Newcastle. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
It was a perfect away performance from Iraola’s side, who turned up with effectively 11 fit first team players and completely out-performed their hosts.
Justin Kluivert scored a hattrick, while Milos Kerkez completed the scoring on a brilliant afternoon in the north east.
Earlier this term, the sides drew 0-0 at Dean Court, before a thrilling 3-3 draw in the FA Cup, as Newcastle progressed after a shootout.
In that game, Harvey Barnes handed the hosts the lead five minutes into the second half, before Alex Scott and David Brooks scored to turn the game in Bournemouth’s favour.
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
An Anthony Gordon penalty in stoppage time drew Howe’s side level, before they thought they’d won it with two minutes left of extra time, but Marcus Tavernier scored a stoppage time equaliser.
But former Cherry Aaron Ramsdale was the hero in goal for Newcastle as he denied Bafode Diakite’s spot kick to give the hosts a 7-6 shootout win.
Form
The Cherries arrive in the north east in flying form.
They are 12 games unbeaten in the Premier League, a club record, and have just beaten league leaders Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates, in their best performance of the season.
Newcastle United's Jacob Ramsey (left) and Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at St James Park, Newcastle. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Newcastle are in stuttering form, though, and have won two and lost four of their past six.
That sees them trail their visitors by three points coming into the weekend’s game, with the Magpies sat in 14th.
Bournemouth are 11th on 45 points, and will be hoping to close in on the European places for a strong finish to Iraola’s time in charge.
AFC Bournemouth visit Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, April 18, kick off at 3pm.