Newcastle United will look to stay out of the relegation zone and pick up their second successive Premier League win when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Magpies slipped back into the bottom three last weekend prior to their clash against Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday as other results went against them, and things looked bleak for them against the Red Devils as they went into the clash with the worst home record in the top flight.
However, a second-half goal from Matt Ritchie saw them record a 1-0 victory that moved them up to 13th and two points clear of Southampton in 18th.
Rafa Benitez will know that his team need to carry on picking up points to stay out of trouble and to try and reach the magic 40-point mark, and it could be a good time to play the Cherries seeing as their seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an abrupt end as they were beaten 4-1 by Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium last time out.
The Spanish manager has largely kept with the same XI in recent weeks and while his team beat Jose Mourinho’s men previously, he will perhaps be thinking of making a change or two ahead of the long trip down to the south coast to maximise his side’s chances of taking all three points.
Here is how Newcastle must line up against Bournemouth on Saturday, ahead of Martin Dubravka in goal…
Defence
Following Martin Dubravka’s brilliant performance and clean sheet between the sticks on his debut against Manchester United last time out, Newcastle’s back five pretty much picks itself for the trip to Bournemouth.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune were brilliant at the heart of the defence against the Red Devils after the Frenchman replaced the injured Ciaran Clark, while DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett, who signed a new contract with the club last week, also continue to impress in the full-back roles.
Benitez is unlikely a defence that kept a clean sheet last time out against the Cherries, and the Spaniard will be hoping for a second successive shut-out.
Midfield
Even though they perhaps weren’t at their best in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace earlier this month, Benitez decided to stick with Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie against Manchester United even though they had found themselves on the substitutes’ bench for a couple of matches previously.
It was a decision that paid off with the duo impressing – and Ritchie scoring – in the win against the Red Devils, and with Mo Diame and loanee Kenedy two of the club’s best performers in recent weeks there is no reason why they shouldn’t continue against Bournemouth either.
Benitez will be looking for quality and a goal threat from the flanks from Kenedy and Ritchie on the south coast especially if his team are to pick up another three points.
Attack
Ayoze Perez started behind Dwight Gayle in a 4-4-1-1 system against Manchester United, but considering Newcastle are travelling to Bournemouth in search of three points, Benitez must be braver this weekend.
While Perez has been a mainstay in the side this season he hasn’t always been at his best, and if new boy Islam Slimani is finally fit to make his debut for the club this weekend he must come straight into the starting XI.
There is no doubt that a partnership of the Algerian and Gayle up top in a 4-4-2 formation has the potential to cause the Cherries defence plenty of problems, and it could be a decision that gets the visitors a much-needed three points that moves them another step closer to safety.
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