Newcastle United vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,107.
Saturday 5 March 2016 15:03, UK
Andros Townsend is unlikely to be risked for Newcastle's clash with Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday.
The former Tottenham winger missed Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat at Stoke with a hamstring problem and will not be risked on Saturday if he is not 100 per cent fit.
The pressure is mounting on Newcastle boss Steve McClaren, and defeat on Saturday would not help matters.
Only bottom-club Aston Villa have won fewer games than the Magpies this season, and they could find themselves three points adrift of safety if they lose to the Cherries.
Eddie Howe's side have had an impressive week, holding Watford to a goalless draw last Saturday before beating Southampton 2-0 four days later, and victory at St James' Park could move them 11 points clear of the relegation zone and to the verge of safety on 35 points.
Team news
Bournemouth have concerns over midfielder Harry Arter and forward Joshua King with calf problems. Midfielder Junior Stanislas missed the midweek win over Southampton with a hamstring injury, and remains a doubt.
Winger Max Gradel is again expected to be in contention, having come through 85 minutes against the Saints as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is also being assessed as he fights his way back from a calf problem, while keeper Tim Krul (knee), defenders Chancel Mbemba (ankle), Massadio Haidara (knee) and Kevin Mbabu (thigh) and midfielder Gabriel Obertan (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, but midfielder Siem de Jong is available after an eye problem.
Opta stats
Newcastle and Bournemouth have met seven times in all competitions with two wins for the Cherries and three for the Magpies.
In the reverse fixture back in November, Newcastle's opening goal courtesy of Ayoze Perez came via their only shot of any kind in the first half and their only shot on target in the whole game.
Bournemouth have lost just one of their last eight Premier League away games (W3 D4 L1).
The Magpies have lost just two of their last 10 Premier League matches at St James Park (W4 D4 L2).
Bournemouth have scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season (eight).
This is Newcastle's lowest tally of points after 27 games of a Premier League season (24).
The Cherries have run the furthest of any Premier League side in 2015-16 so far (3273kms).
Benik Afobe has scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances and Bournemouth have won three and drawn one of those games.
All nine of Georginio Wijnaldum's Premier League goals for Newcastle United have come at St James' Park.
Just 54 per cent of Newcastle's passes have been in the opposition half this season - a lower proportion than every other team in the Premier League.
Merson's prediction
This is Newcastle's cup final. They have seen Swansea get an unbelievable result at the Emirates, which has reduced the relegation battle into a four-horse race. So if Newcastle lose this…
But as it is their cup final, I am going to go for Newcastle to win 2-1 - they simply have to win this game. And if they lose it, I think they are relegated. If they cannot get themselves up for this game, they may as well pack it in.
Paul predicts: 2-1 (Sky Bet Odds 17/2)
Betting
Sky Bet are struggling to split Newcastle and Bournemouth ahead of Saturday's St James' Park clash, with both teams available to back at 13/8 in the match market, with the draw 12/5. Ayoze Perez, Papiss Cisse and Seydou Doumbia are 11/2 co-favourites to score the opening goal of the game, with Bournemouth's Benik Afobe close behind in the market at 6/1.
