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Newcastle United – AFC Bournemouth
For right-back Kieran Trippier, goalkeeper Nick Pope and striker Callum Wilson, the 2022 World Cup already ended with England in the quarter-finals against France. The Three Lions suffered a bitter 2-1 defeat and had to leave Qatar earlier than desired. However, the three World Cup players did not have much time to come to terms with this setback and take a short winter holiday, as everyday business in England returns from the World Cup break as early as Wednesday. Trippier, Pope and Wilson will play the last 16 of the EFL Cup with their club Newcastle United on Tuesday. The Magpies will host the Cherries from Bournemouth.
AFC Bournemouth gained direct promotion in the summer after relegation from the Premier League last year. Just a few days before Christmas, the promoted side have a great chance to reward themselves for what they have achieved so far this season with a place in the quarter-finals. Unlike fellow promoted Nottingham Forrest, the Cherries are not in a relegation spot, but three points ahead. Thus, the self-confidence should not be huge, but big enough to keep up with the Magpies. Which of the two first division teams is more likely to make it to the quarter-finals, you can read in our Newcastle – Bournemouth tip.
Newcastle – Bournemouth Info:
– Date & Time: 20.12.2022, 20:45 hrs.
– Venue: St. James Park, Newcastle
– Competition: EFL Cup, Round of 16
– TV coverage: DAZN
Newcastle Form & Balance Check
During the World Cup break, Newcastle United kept themselves in rhythm with two test matches. The Magpies won 5-0 at Al-Hilal Riyadh and 2-1 over Rayo Vallecano. While these results are hardly meaningful, they fit into the seasonal picture of coach Eddie Howe’s team. If it weren’t for Arsenal and Man City, Newcastle would probably be the most in-form team on the island.
The traditional club from the university city developed sensationally with the help of Arab money, which came in the summer through the club takeover of the Arab sovereign wealth fund. The Magpies went into the World Cup break third in the table with only two points less than champions Manchester City thanks to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Newcastle qualified for the upcoming round of 16 with a 3rd round penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace.
Undefeated since August
As if it wasn’t enough that Newcastle are only seven points behind league leaders Arsenal and growing into a new big player, this overall record is outstanding. In fact, the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on 31 August was the last game the Magpies lost. Since then, eight wins from the subsequent eleven competitive matches have followed. Despite the new economic opportunities, the Magpies’ squad is average at best compared to Liverpool. On top of that, a full eight Premier League teams are worth more than the squad Eddie Howe has at his disposal. It’s been an incredible performance from Newcastle this season despite Arab money.
Newcastle facts & analysis
– Newcastle won 3-2 n.E. against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup 3rd round.
– The Magpies are unbeaten in eleven competitive matches.
– Before the World Cup break, Newcastle won six competitive games in a row.
Bournemouth Form & Balance Check
In fact, the cup tie at Newcastle will be a very special one for coach Gary O’Neil. After twelve games as interim coach of the Cherries, AFC Bournemouth officials decided to name the 39-year-old Londoner as Scott Parker’s permanent successor. Under Parker, AFC won promotion back to the top flight in the summer, but the season got off to a disastrous start, leaving Bournemouth in the middle of the relegation zone early on and Parker sacked.
Under O’Neil, the Cherries managed to jump out of the relegation places before the World Cup break. Currently, the promoted team is in 14th place. Looking ahead to the EFL Cup, Bournemouth beat Everton 4-1 in their penultimate competitive game before the World Cup break. The Cherries even went into the break with another win as they managed to beat Everton FC again in the league.
O’Neil with ups and downs
AFC Bournemouth’s defined goal this season is clear. The Premier League is to be kept. Gary O’Neil successfully started this mission as interim coach with six unbeaten games in a row, of which the Cherries won the duels with Leicester and Nottingham Forrest. After this dream start, the winning streak under O’Neil came to an end as the Premier League games against Southampton, West Ham, Tottenham and Leeds were all lost. After four straight defeats, AFC won the cup match against Everton 4-1 and also the league match against the Toffees 3-0. Twelve appearances under Gary O’Neil so far have resulted in four wins, four defeats and four draws. There is also an average of 1.33 points per game and a positive goal-scoring record of 20:17 goals.
Bournemouth facts & analysis
– Bournemouth were 4-1 winners over Everton in the EFL Cup 3rd round.
– The Cherries won two competitive games in a row before the World Cup break.
– Coach Gary O’Neil will celebrate his Premier as head coach on Tuesday.
Predicted line-up – last update on 19 December 2022
In addition to right-back Kieran Trippier, goalkeeper Nick Pope and striker Callum Wilson, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes also went to the World Cup in Qatar for Brazil and centre-back Fabian Schär for Switzerland. All five World Cup players were ruled out before the semi-final, so they have already resumed training with Newcastle and are ready to play in the clash with Bournemouth. All five players are set in coach Eddie Howe’s 4-3-3 system. Apart from right-back Emil Krafth, who suffered a cruciate ligament tear, all are fit.
For AFC Bournemouth, only one player, centre-back Lloyd Kelly (ankle injury), is out injured. Coach Gary O’Neil has always had a 4-4-2 formation played during his time as interim coach of the Cherries. Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore, who went to the World Cup for Wales, were already back on the cold south coast of England after the group stage.
Newcastle – Bournemouth direct comparison & Statistics
Only nine times there has been a duel between Newcastle and Bournemouth. However, the direct record clearly goes to the Magpies, as Newcastle are unbeaten in six games against Bournemouth. The last game against each other in September ended in a 1-1 draw.
– Newcastle are unbeaten against Bournemouth for over 5 years.
– Bournemouth last won at Newcastle in November 2017.
– None of last three home games against Bournemouth lost by Newcastle.
