Written by BillyTheKid
Can Andoni Iraola Keep His Unbeaten Record Against Eddie Howe?
After beating Arsenal on their own ground for the second season running, the Cherries have broken their own club Premier League record, going 12 games unbeaten. First win after the last 5 games have ended in draws. The team must be full of confidence going into their next game, which is also away.
Cherries’ next game is the longest trip of the season; they travel up to the North East to play Newcastle United on Saturday at 3 pm. A game where our former and present manager pit their wits against each other. In their five league games, Andoni Iraola has had 2 wins and 3 draws. Can he make it 6 games unbeaten against Eddie Howe?
Newcastle United v AFC Bournemouth
Newcastle Win
Newcastle Win
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Draw
Draw
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AFCB Win
AFCB Win
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With six games to go this season, it could be the worst season for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe since he joined them in November 2021. Since Eddie became their manager, he saved them at a time when, under Steve Bruce, they were in a relegation spot. After 11 games, they were second from bottom of the table with 5 points.
Eddie Howe turned their season around, and they finally finished in 11th place with 49 points. The following season, the Magpies finished in 4th place with 71 points and qualified for Europe and the Champions League for the first time in around 20 years. Then in 2023-24, they finished 7th with 60 points. Last season, they won the League Cup. Also finished 5th in the league with 66 points.
So now, in his fifth season in the North East, Eddie Howe and his team are not having a good season, and there has been media talk about his position as manager and who could replace him. This, after all he has achieved as the Newcastle United manager. But this is the Premier League, and owners are looking for success.
Since our home game against Newcastle United in September, their results in the Premier League have been home and away. At home have won 7, drawn 2, and lost 5. Away from home, the Magpies have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 8. Positions in the table after 32 games going into this game: AFCB 11th, Newcastle United 14th.
The last time our two sides met in the league at St. James’ Park was in January 2025. It was a game the Cherries won 1-4; it was the most goals a Cherries side has scored against Newcastle United in any competition in their history. Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick, Milos Kerkez also scored, and Bruno Guimaraes scored their goal.
All our away league games against Newcastle United, AFCB have W 3, D 2, L 3.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 6, D 10, L 7.
Newcastle United Team News
Bruno Guimaraes has been suffering from mumps, so there could be a doubt. Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth have been out injured. Joe Linton suspended.
Newcastle United Player To Watch
If he starts, it will be their leading scorer with 9 goals, Bruno Guimaraes, who is also joint leader with 4 assists. He has been badly missed in their midfield. If he doesn’t start Anthony Gordon, he has scored in two games against us, last season and the 2023-24 season.
AFC Bournemouth Team News
Apart from the three we already know about, no new injuries were reported after the Arsenal game.
AFC Bournemouth Player To Watch
Two of our most consistent players over recent games have been Alex Scott in midfield and James Hill in defence.
The Referee
Tom Bramall is the man in the middle for this game. He took two of our home league games, the opening home game against Wolves and also West Ham. Also took our away FA Cup game up in Newcastle.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Newcastle. They had two home games (Man U and Sunderland) and two away games (Chelsea and C Palace). Newcastle have gained 6 points, which is an over return as they were in front on xG in only one game, similar in one, and behind in two. The xG value for goals scored is 6.31, compared with 5 actual goals, which is an overachievement. Newcastle have conceded 5 goals, with xGc estimating 7.87 goals, which is an overperformance.
Goals Xg.jpg
Newcastle have had 2 different goal scorers (Gordon with 3 and Osulu with 2). Four players have 1 assist each.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. There is no clear pattern, with a stretched formation against Man U, where Newcastle played a half with 10 men, and the game against Sunderland was always going to be a scrap. Away, Newcastle sat back against Chelsea but were more attacking against a C Palace side that likes to play on the counter.
Av Pos.jpg
The following plot compares the summary stats of Newcastle and AFCB over the last 4 games. Attacking statistics are in AFCB’s favour, being higher in all the metrics except the one that matters (goals scored), although both sides have underperformed against their xG. Defensively, it is all in AFCB’s favour.
Comparison.png
AFCB have slightly higher possession, although pass completion percentages are similar. Newcastle have created a higher proportion of chances created from set pieces (and their value looks very high relatively). AFCB have conceded a high proportion from set pieces, although the fixture list has generally pitted them against set-piece teams (Brentford, Burnley, Man U and Arsenal).
Percentages.png
Your say…
bpl234 said…
I think we will win this game and then, with expectations sky high, draw with Leeds and Palace and people having meltdowns saying the players are not in it now, and Andoni is leaving. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…