With just six points separating 6th place Chelsea and 14th place Newcastle, the race for Europe has perhaps never been so wide open heading into the Premier League’s home stretch.
For Newcastle, victories over the likes of Spurs, Man United and Chelsea have been overshadowed by defeats to Everton, Crystal Palace, and a second consecutive defeat to arch rivals Sunderland.
Pair those damaging league losses with exits from the Champions League and the FA Cup, a testing 2026 now sees just one path back to Europe for Howe’s side,via the Premier League.
Whilst the league position may seem bleak, the points differential is far from insurmountable, but a clash with 11th placed Bournemouth can now very much be classed as a must win encounter.
As for the Cherries, change is afoot regardless of their league position as Iraola has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season, linked with the Athletic Bilbao job.
Former Dortmund and Leipzig manager Marco Rose is the leading candidate to be his successor, but the question is will he be leading the Bournemouth into a historic maiden European season?
A win here for Iraola’s side would keep them right in the mix, as well as delivering a hammer blow to Newcastle’s chances.
Team News
Newcastle United:
The only new absentee for Eddie Howe this weekend will be Joelinton, who misses out with suspension after an accumulation of yellow cards.
Eddie Howe has stated that Bruno Guimaraes is ‘pushing really hard’ to be involved in this game, though it appears unlikely he will start. Fabian Schar and Emil Krath remain out.
AFC Bournemouth:
Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert remain out for Bournemouth, with an otherwise fit squad ready and raring to go for this monumental clash.
Likely Lineups
Newcastle United (4-3-3):
Ramsdale (GK); Hall, Burn, Thiaw, Livramento; Miley, Tonali, Ramsey; Gordon, Osula, Murphy
AFC Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):
Petrovic (GK); Truffert, Senesi, Hill, Jimenez; Christie, Scott; Tavernier, Kroupi, Rayan; Evanilson
Key Players
Newcastle United - Anthony Gordon:
Gordon is a player that has received significant criticism this season, but despite a disappointing outing for England in the international break, the 25-year-old cropped up with vital goals in recent wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, and also scored the opening goal in the Tyne-Wear derby Newcastle would go on to lose.
With plenty at stake for Howe’s side, Gordon may need to step up once more and provide another big goal to keep Newcastle in the race for Europe.
AFC Bournemouth - Eli Junior Kroupi:
At just 19 years of age, Kroupi has fast become one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents, and after goals in the famous win at Arsenal as well as a hard fought draw with an in form Manchester United, the French U21 International is now up to 10 Premier League goals after joining in the summer from French side Lorient.
Kroupi has risen to the occasion against some of the division’s biggest clubs, home and away, and will step into the lions den of St.James’s Park with no fear, knowing he could help Bournemouth take another huge step to making history by reaching Europe for the very first time.